DraftKings, FanDuel Face Major Lawsuit Over 'Shady Practices'
The lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday, claims that the two sportsbooks use misleading promotions to attract bettors and then leverage data and analytics to keep problem gamblers betting.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issued a statement on the lawsuit, calling out the two sportsbooks for "shady practices."
"These companies are engaging in shady practices, and the people of our city are literally paying the price," Scott said in a statement via ESPN. "DraftKings and FanDuel have specifically targeted our most vulnerable residents -- including those struggling with gambling disorders -- and have caused significant harm as a result. This lawsuit is a critical step to hold them accountable and protect all Baltimoreans."
The lawsuit explains that the companies lure bettors in with "bonus bets," which are credits that can only be used at the sportsbook. These credits often expire shortly after sign-up, encouraging frequent betting and risk-free winning immediately after sign-up.
"Defendants are not interested in people merely dipping their toes in the water: They want bettors to bet, in significant amounts, over and over," the complaint states. "Some get hooked, and that's the point."
The lawsuit alleges that the companies collect data on bettors and use that data to identify those most likely to gamble more. The lawsuit says that users identified as the most likely to continue gambling are sometimes given exclusive offers and checked in with "to keep these players betting as much as possible."
The lawsuit claims that these practices from the sportsbooks are so well known in the gambling industry that sharp bettors "have learned to mimic the behavior of problem gamblers" in order to receive rewards and maintain higher betting limits.
When reached for comment by ESPN, FanDuel said it would not comment on the allegations while DraftKings did not provide a statement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Get the new ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu bundle for free with this DirecTV deal
In case you haven't heard, ESPN is launching a new streaming service (also called ESPN), which combines all of its existing channels and streaming platforms in one place. On top of that, for a limited time, you can bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99 per month or $299.99 for a year. But if you want to know a secret, there's actually a way to get this brand new ESPN bundle for nothing. Zero dollars. DirecTV is currently offering subscribers who also use their Gemini device a totally free subscription to the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundle. The folks at DirecTV will just go ahead and add it to your plan. That's right, any DirecTV Signature pack subscriber with Gemini will see this bundle added to their subscription starting roughly around September 1. At that point, existing customers will receive the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundle, and once it's added, you simply need to activate it. For even more information about what you can expect to see on the new ESPN streaming service, check here and learn more about Disney+ and Hulu's upcoming "unified app" now. And in the meantime, here's what you need to know about how to take advantage of this super streaming deal. Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundle free deal: Starting on August 21, all DirecTV Signature Pack customers who also use a Gemini device will get Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited included in their subscription at no additional cost. Without DirecTV, the new Disney+, Hulu, ESPN bundle is currently available for a promotional rate of $29.99/month for a limited time, and will eventually cost $35.99/month after the promotional rate expires. Subscribers will receive an email with activation instructions sometime between August 21 and September 1 to start enjoying their new bundle. What Is Gemini? DirecTV's Gemini streaming device is a device that can be added to any DirecTV plan, and works like a smart TV (or more accurately, like an Amazon Fire Stick) connecting viewers to 4K HD DirecTV programming and streamlining all DirecTV content, including third-party apps like Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, and more, so you can find them all in one place. Gemini devices cost around $10/month on top of your DirecTV Signature package subscription. What is the new ESPN streaming service? ESPN's new streaming service, simply (and yet confusingly?) called ESPN, launched on August 21. The service will be divided into two tiers: the ESPN Unlimited package and the ESPN Select package. ESPN Unlimited – which is part of the DirecTV Disney Bundle – includes access to all of ESPN's linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, plus access to programming on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. The other tier of ESPN's streaming service is ESPN Select, which is essentially the new name for ESPN+. That service provides exclusive access to many events, and will simulcast certain sports that air on other channels, but will not feature the robust programming of Unlimited.
USA Today
6 minutes ago
- USA Today
TOUR Championship tee times: Schedule, groups, how to watch for Aug. 21
Here's the full tee time schedule for Round 1 at TOUR Championship for Aug. 21 and how to watch all the action. Or see our sortable schedule to filter by golfer. TOUR Championship tee times today All times Eastern and accurate as of Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. First Round Watch golf every week with Fubo (free trial). TOUR Championship leaderboard, scores, how to watch See leaderboard and results for the players listed above First Round Coverage Golf Channel, ESPN+
Fast Company
6 minutes ago
- Fast Company
The ESPN app has landed: ‘We can't look at this launch as a movie opening'
On August 21, the self-described 'leading multi-platform sports entertainment brand' began allowing consumers to subscribe directly through a service called . . . ESPN. Unlike ESPN+, which launched in 2018, the new streaming service provides access to the network's full range of content and coverage.
