The article mentions that Big Fish Games was at one point owned by Churchill Downs and now belongs to Aristocrat Leisure. The former operates racetracks and an online oddsmaker while the latter literally manufactures gambling machines.

> These games are not gambling because, among other reasons, they offer no opportunity for players to win money or anything of value. 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.[1]

Right, no connection to gambling whatsoever.

[1]: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6896112-BF.html