Policy · 1h ago
Pokémon Card App Rips Users Off: $892 Spent, 62 Cents Returned
A new app called Rips lets users open virtual Pokémon card packs for real money, with one user spending $892 in 15 minutes and getting back only 62 cents. The app mimics the thrill of gambling, raising concerns about its addictive design. Critics warn it could normalize high-risk spending among collectors and gamers.
Meridian48 take
The app's mechanics are essentially gambling, but without the regulatory oversight that casinos face—a loophole that could explode as digital collectibles grow.
Read the full reporting
I Tried Rips, the Card-Pack App Where Users Spend Thousands Chasing Pricey Pokémon →
Wired
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