02-05-2025
Ryan Seacrest's golden boy image takes a hit as he's sued over illegal online casino promo
Ryan Seacrest's polished reputation is under fire as he's hit with a lawsuit accusing him of pushing an illegal online casino in California.
The American Idol and Wheel of Fortune host — long seen as one of America's most trusted TV personalities — is being sued by California resident Aubrey Carillo, who claims she lost money on a platform Seacrest regularly promotes on social media, according to court docs obtained by TMZ.
Carillo alleges that Seacrest serves as Chumba's celebrity endorser, posting paid ads online and appearing in the casino's promotional materials.
The lawsuit argues that by backing the site, Seacrest is fueling the spread of online gambling addiction among adults and even minors— with Carillo claiming 'at least one child in her family accessed the site.'
The complaint says ChumbaCasino has been banned in multiple states but still operates in California, and Carillo is seeking an injunction to shut it down there and stop Seacrest from profiting off its revenue.
However, source close to the situation told TMZ that this is 'just a nuisance lawsuit.'
The American Idol and Wheel of Fortune host — long seen as one of America's most trusted TV personalities — is being sued by California resident Aubrey Carillo, who claims she lost money on a platform Seacrest regularly promotes on social media, according to court docs obtained
has reached out to Seacrest's reps for comment.
Seacrest, who also co-hosted Live with Kelly and Ryan, has promoted the casino on his own Instagram.
In one September 2024 post, Seacrest lounges on a couch with his dog, Georgia, appearing to play on his phone before getting visibly excited.
'One more game of @ and then we'll go for a walk, Georgia,' he captioned the shot, tagging his pup in the promo.
The post also included a disclaimer: 'Sponsored by Chumba Casino. No Purchase Necessary. VGW Group. Void where prohibited by law. See T&Cs. 18+.'
He also pops up on Chumba Casino's official Instagram page in several playful ads.
In one holiday-themed post, Seacrest is bundled up with hot cocoa, chatting about the 'excitement' of the casino's 'social games.'
The brand captioned the clip, 'We're always happy to bring you fresh new games at Let us know which games are at the top of your nice list this Christmas.'
The complaint says ChumbaCasino has been banned in multiple states but still operates in California, and Carillo is seeking an injunction to shut it down there and stop Seacrest from profiting off its revenue
The lawsuit comes on the heels of backlash Ryan faced in January after failing to warn a Wheel of Fortune contestant about the risk of landing a bankruptcy prize.
When the player landed on a $1,000 wedge with the option to flip it for a surprise, Seacrest encouraged, 'Oh. Let's go, right?' — only for the contestant, Bailey, to reveal a dreaded 'bankrupt' panel, wiping out his winnings.
Viewers slammed Seacrest for not cautioning Bailey about the risk, with longtime fans noting that former host Pat Sajak, 78, would have given a heads-up.
some fans calling him 'annoying' and 'lazy.'
