The Red Sox mascot, Wally, is a beloved and iconic figure. With his bright red fur, big smile, and playful personality, Wally has become a symbol of the Boston Red Sox and a fan favorite. He is often seen at Fenway Park, cheering on the team and interacting with fans of all ages. Wally made his debut in 1997 during a game at Fenway Park. Since then, he has become an integral part of the Red Sox experience for both young and old fans. Whether it's posing for pictures, giving high fives, or even performing some dance moves, Wally brings a sense of fun and excitement to every Red Sox game.
In Washington state — where Big Fish Games is located — slot machines are banned outright. But Washingtonians can download a smartphone game that offers would-be gamblers the chance to spend money on an experience nearly identical to that of an in-person slot machine, only without any chance of actually winning money.
While many video games have added premium features in recent years, including loot boxes a mechanism to pay small, fixed fees for chances to win in-game prizes that has attracted the ire of some lawmakers no other type of game appears to allow players to lose so much credit so quickly and be constantly encouraged to spend more. Basically, what I would do to get from nothing to riches is low bet on scatter rooms until I had enough money to bet 1 or 2 million a spin on 25 line rooms and hopefully go from there.
Whether it's posing for pictures, giving high fives, or even performing some dance moves, Wally brings a sense of fun and excitement to every Red Sox game. In addition to his game day duties, Wally also makes appearances at community events, charity fundraisers, and local schools. He is known for his involvement in various charitable causes, using his popularity to bring attention to important issues and make a positive impact on the community.
Addicted to losing: How casino-like apps have drained people of millions
NBC News spoke to 21 people who said they were hooked on casino-style apps and had spent significant sums of money. The industry is almost entirely unregulated.
Stephanie Kubo / for NBC News Sept. 14, 2020, 10:00 AM UTCShellz, 37, a nurse from Houston, spends at least two hours a day with her husband playing a casino-style smartphone game called Jackpot Magic.
The app offers a variety of typical casino games to play, including their favorite, called Reel Rivals, a game in which players accrue points by playing a virtual slot machine. As in a real casino, players exchange money for coins to bet.
Unlike in a real casino, there is no way to win money back or earn a payout on coins.
But that has not stopped Shellz and her husband from spending about $150,000 in the game in just two years. She asked to use her in-game username so her family does not find out how much money they have spent on the game.
"We lie in bed next to each other, we have two tablets, two phones and a computer and all these apps spinning Reel Rivals at the same time," she said. "We normalize it with each other."
Jackpot Magic is an app made by Big Fish Games of Seattle, one of the leaders in an industry of "free-to-play" social games into which some people have plowed thousands of dollars. Big Fish Games also operates a similar app, Big Fish Casino. Both are labeled as video games, which allows the company and others like it to skirt the tightly regulated U.S. gambling market.
But unlike the gambling market, apps like Jackpot Magic and Big Fish Casino are under little oversight to determine whether they are fair or whether their business practices are predatory.
NBC News spoke to 21 people, including Shellz and her husband, who said they were hooked on the casino-style games and had spent significant sums of money. They described feelings of helplessness and wanting to quit but found themselves addicted to the games and tempted by the company's aggressive marketing tactics.
Most of the 21 players wished to remain anonymous, as they were ashamed of their addictions and did not want their loved ones to find out about their behavior.
A 42-year-old Pennsylvania woman said she felt saddened that she spent $40,000 on Big Fish Casino while working as an addiction counselor.
"The whole time I was working as an addiction counselor, I was addicted to gambling and with no hope of winning any money back," she said.
Big Fish Games did not make anyone available for an interview, nor did the company respond to detailed questions. The company has said in previous court filings that only a fraction of the game's players actually spend money.
In a response to NBC News' inquiries, the company issued a statement saying its games are not gambling and should not be regulated as such.
"These games are not gambling because, among other reasons, they offer no opportunity for players to win money or anything of value," the statement said in part.
"Our games are offered for free purely for entertainment, with an opportunity for customers to spend money within the game to enhance their gameplay experience," it said. "The vast majority of Big Fish Casino and Jackpot Magic Slots customers play without ever paying any money. No court has yet considered all of the facts relating to how these games operate."
Players have had some recourse in recent months thanks to successful lawsuits.
After a long legal battle, 2 million players, including Shellz and her husband, will be eligible to get a small part of their losses back — about 20 percent for those who lost $10,000 to $100,000.
The money will come in a $155 million class-action settlement, announced at the end of July, that will cover two major lawsuits filed against Big Fish Games; its former owner, Churchill Downs; and its current Australian parent company, Aristocrat Leisure, alleging that they were operating "unlawful gambling devices."
The preliminary agreement was recently approved by a federal judge in Tacoma, Washington. Churchill Downs and Aristocrat Leisure both declined to comment on the settlement. Aristocrat Leisure released a public statement in May outlining the general contours of the settlement, but it has not said anything further.
While Big Fish Games admits no wrongdoing, it has agreed to implement "addiction-related resources" and a "self-exclusion policy" that would allow players who feel out of control to opt in to be blacklisted from playing the game.
Big Fish Games also declined to comment on the settlement.
While some players are happy to recoup some of their losses, gambling addiction experts and some lawmakers say it does not go far enough to help those whose lives have spiraled out of control after they got hooked on social casino games. They call for further regulation of the industry.
"What we would have welcomed as part of this settlement as a wake-up call for the industry is a change in practices," said Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
"I think their model is so lucrative and in some ways so aggressive that they're doubling down, and it's going to do a lot more harm. I think it's going to eventually be reined in, but it appears they are prioritizing short-term profit over long-term sustainability and responsibility," Whyte said.
Wally's popularity has also extended beyond the baseball world. He has appeared in commercials, TV shows, and even had his own children's book series. Kids and adults alike are drawn to Wally's infectious energy and friendly demeanor. Despite being just a mascot, Wally has become an important symbol for Red Sox fans. He represents the team's spirit, resilience, and commitment to their community. Whether the Red Sox win or lose, Wally continues to bring joy and excitement to the game, making him a true icon in Boston and beyond..
Reviews for "Wally's Journey: From Spring Training to the World Series"
1. John - 2/5 stars - The Red Sox mascot wallet was a huge disappointment for me. The quality of the material was subpar and it looked cheaply made. The design was also not as vibrant as I had expected, making the mascot image difficult to make out. Additionally, the size of the wallet was much smaller than I had anticipated, barely able to hold all my cards and cash. Overall, I would not recommend this wallet to any Red Sox fan looking for a durable and visually appealing accessory.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with the Red Sox mascot wallet. The zipper broke after just a few uses, leaving me unable to securely hold my belongings. The stitching also started to unravel, making the wallet even less reliable. Furthermore, the design on the front of the wallet was already fading after a short period of use. I expected better quality from an officially licensed product. I would not recommend purchasing this wallet if you're looking for something durable and long-lasting.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The Red Sox mascot wallet fell short of my expectations. The material felt flimsy and cheap, and the zipper didn't seem very sturdy. The overall construction of the wallet seemed lacking, and I worry that it won't hold up well with regular use. The design was also underwhelming, with the mascot image looking pixelated and not as vibrant as I had hoped. I won't be using this wallet for long, as I feel like it won't last. Disappointing purchase overall.
4. Michael - 3/5 stars - The Red Sox mascot wallet was just okay for me. The quality was decent, although not outstanding. The design was clear, but it wasn't as eye-catching as I had hoped. The wallet had enough space for my cards and cash, but it felt a bit bulky in my pocket. I think there are better options out there, but if you're a die-hard Red Sox fan, this wallet might still be worth considering.