Online Gambling Addiction Lawsuit Alleges DraftKings App Fueled Compulsive Sports Betting

Lawsuit claims addiction resulted in severe financial losses, problems at work, vehicle repossession and the breakdown of the man’s marriage.

A Pennsylvania man has filed a lawsuit alleging DraftKings deliberately used targeted promotions, “free” bets, push notifications and personal “VIP” managers to push him into gambling addiction.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Christopher Evans earlier this summer in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, naming DraftKings Inc. and Crown PA Gaming Inc. as defendants. The case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on September 16.

Evans claims that when he began using DraftKings’ mobile app in 2017, he was unprepared for the pernicious design of its tracking algorithms, which he says analyzed his gambling patterns and exploited them, resulting in more than $2 million in wagers and a gambling addiction he is still battling.

Online Gambling Addiction

Pennsylvania was among the first states to authorize sports wagering in 2017, before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal prohibition on state-authorized sports betting the following year. However, the state’s sports wagering provisions could not take effect unless the federal restrictions were removed, which occurred with the Supreme Court’s May 2018 ruling in Murphy v. NCAA.

Approval of online gambling and sports betting spread quickly to most states, with platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM gaining wide popularity by allowing consumers in many states to place bets from their phones on game outcomes and player performances. The platforms have even begun promoting live impromptu bets based on ongoing game occurrences or other sports events.

Experts warn these online gambling addictions can lead to significant financial losses before compulsive gambling behavior becomes apparent. The damage can extend well beyond monetary losses as well, often destroying families, careers and relationships.

Consumers have filed a growing number of DraftKings lawsuits and FanDuel lawsuits in recent months, pointing to sportsbook marketing practices as factors in the rapid rates of addiction. Users claim the platforms flood consumers with personalized promotions, targeted advertisements and live betting features that may encourage them to place wagers more frequently.

The sportsbooks are also accused of using algorithms that analyze and detect potentially addictive behavior. Claimants say that instead of warning those individuals to seek help, the apps exploit them through the use of deceptive, predatory or unlawful practices.

DraftKings Gambling Addiction Allegations

According to the complaint, Evans’ use of DraftKings was marked by a constant flow of promotions and incentives since he first began wagering on the mobile app in 2017. This eventually led to an online gambling addiction he describes as “unmanageable.”

Evans says his digital history on the app shows a rapid escalation and loss of control, of which he says DraftKings was “all too aware.” He has, to date, wagered more than $2.1 million and estimates he suffered about $81,000 in total losses.

“Plaintiff Christopher Evans fell deeply into his addiction and would find himself spending hours each day gambling within the applications, specifically playing casino games due to their quick and instantaneous nature and easy allowance of betting, but also engaging with sportsbook and daily fantasy gambling.”

– Christopher Evans v. DraftKings Inc. et al.

As his addiction grew, so did Evans’ depression and anxiety, the lawsuit notes. He soon stopped going outside, instead spending all day indoors gambling. Evans indicates his work began to suffer, he accrued debt, his vehicle was repossessed, and he and his wife separated.

The lawsuit alleges that DraftKings knows its design is addictive, and is purposefully designed to be so. It allegedly exploits known gambling patterns to customize marketing approaches to each consumer. However, Evans indicates this is done in a predatory fashion, using the data to convince consumers with apparent online gambling addictions to make larger and more frequent wagers, instead of warning them that they should probably seek help.

Evans presents claims of defective design, failure to warn, negligent design, negligent failure to warn, negligence, intentional misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. He seeks compensatory damages to restore his gambling losses, and for the development of gambling addiction, depression and other mental health conditions.

Online Gambling Addiction Lawsuits

This complaint joins other online gambling addiction lawsuits filed by individuals nationwide who say sportsbook apps like DraftKings and FanDuel led them, intentionally, into compulsive wagering that resulted in increased debt, financial losses and mental health damage. The claims often maintain that sportsbooks collect extensive information about customers’ betting patterns and behavior, then use that data to deliver individualized promotions and incentives that encourage continued gambling.

Online gambling addiction attorneys are reviewing potential claims for individuals who experienced significant financial damage or psychological injuries after developing problematic gambling behaviors allegedly fueled by sportsbook promotions and rewards. Companies that may be involved in these claims include:

Individuals who experienced serious gambling-related losses can request a free and confidential case evaluation to determine whether they may be eligible to pursue a sports betting addiction lawsuit. These claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront legal fees or expenses.

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