Latest news with #BethanyRodgers
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania men lost hundreds of thousands gambling on DraftKings. Now they're suing.
Five Pennsylvania men are trying to launch a class action lawsuit against DraftKings, the online sports betting behemoth that they say used predatory tactics and deceptive marketing to fuel their gambling addictions. The federal lawsuit claims that, instead of trying to help people in the throes of compulsive gambling, DraftKings targets and exploits these individuals. The company also extends promotional deals that offer "no sweat" bets or deposit matches, while hiding convoluted conditions in the fine print, according to the lawsuit. More: Pennsylvania gaming revenues hit record high in 2024 for one main reason DraftKings 'uses these tactics to identify and cultivate the people it wants on its platform: those who are most susceptible to these sorts of promotions and most likely to lose a lot of money betting,' the complaint filed in late April contends. 'In other words, marks.' The suit notes that online sportsbooks such as DraftKings have exploded in popularity since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 decision opening the door to this betting. DraftKings is Pennsylvania's second-highest grossing sports betting platform through a partnership with Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, according to state data. It also owns an online casino. More: As sports betting skyrockets, more Americans search for addiction help, study finds DraftKings as of May 20 had not filed a court response to the complaint, and its spokespeople did not immediately answer a request for comment. One of the plaintiffs, a Pittsburgh teacher who earned about $50,000 a year, borrowed money from his loved ones to keep gambling after he'd drained his own bank account. In total, he lost $134,000 on DraftKings, the lawsuit states. After recognizing his gambling had become a problem, an Allentown man asked DraftKings to shut down his account permanently. Instead, the man was able to access it again and lost more than $350,000 on DraftKings as a result, the suit alleges. The lawsuit said this man's 'life was ruined gambling on DraftKings,' reporting that he'd lost friends and a job and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Another plaintiff continued to gamble on the app even after adding himself to a state self-exclusion list, which should have locked him out of gaming sites, according to the complaint. A Chicago-based civil rights law firm filed the lawsuit on behalf of the five men. The office, Loevy + Loevy, has also sued DraftKings in Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey and New York. More: Inside the high-stakes, high-risk world of sports betting and how it's gripping young men If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling. Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania investigative journalist. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: PA men sue DraftKings, alleging deceptive promotions
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How do I register to vote in Pa. primary elections? And what will be on the ballot?
Pennsylvanians have until May 5 to register to vote ahead of the primary election May 20, when Keystone State residents will make party-level decisions about who will stand in November to lead in their school districts and local communities. Fortunately, there are a number of options for people who want to sign up last-minute, with the state allowing registration online, by mail and in person at various county and state government offices. You can fill out a voter registration application online or print it out and mail it to your county elections office. Addresses for these offices are provided on the paper application. If you'd rather register in person, you can do so at a county election office, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation office or a range of other state offices listed online. To be eligible for registration, you must be at least 18 years old and a United States citizen. You must also be a Pennsylvania resident and have lived in the community where you want to vote for at least 30 days before the election. Cities including Pittsburgh, Erie and Harrisburg will be winnowing down the field of candidates to fill the mayoral position. With Democrats dominant in these places, the primaries often decide the outcome of the entire race. More: Who are the candidates for city of Erie, county races in the May primary? Many voters will choose party nominees for openings in county government. And positions on the Commonwealth and Superior courts and on local school boards are also up for grabs. If you're curious about the races that will appear on your specific ballot, local elections offices allow you to check them out ahead of time. Sample ballots are available in Erie County, York County, Beaver County and Bucks County, among others. The deadline for primary voters to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 13. These mail ballots must be returned to the county elections offices by Election Day, May 20. People who miss the primary registration deadline can still sign up to vote in this year's general election Nov. 4. Voter registration head of the fall election closes Oct. 20, according to state officials. Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania investigative journalist. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: When is the voter registration deadline for PA's 2025 primary?
