Federal Court Allows Plaintiff to Sue Under Pseudonym in Online Casino Case

A federal court granted a plaintiff permission to proceed under the pseudonym E.B. in a lawsuit alleging that several companies operated illegal online casino games. The plaintiff filed the complaint on March 3, 2026, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, bringing claims under Washington state law.

The plaintiff stated she is a criminal defense attorney who faces reputational and professional harm if her diagnosed gambling addiction becomes known. She requested to proceed pseudonymously to maintain privacy over sensitive personal details and to protect against professional and reputational harm.

The court noted that use of a fictitious name runs counter to the public's common law right of access to judicial proceedings. It found that the plaintiff made a sufficient showing of need for anonymity to warrant provisional permission to proceed pseudonymously until defendants appear.

The court stated that the plaintiff risks substantial social and professional stigma if her gambling addiction becomes public knowledge. It also found that the public has a limited interest in learning the plaintiff's identity at this stage. The court deferred consideration of prejudice to defendants until they appear and arguments are presented.

The plaintiff stated she will share her identity with defendants during discovery.