FanDuel Sued for Alleged VIP Perks that Deepen Gambling Addictions
FanDuel, a sports betting app, is being sued for allegedly using VIP perks to deepen customers' gambling addictions. The lawsuit claims the company's VIP managers, including personalized messages from star athletes like Bryce Harper, contributed to a customer's $18.5 million wagering loss and subsequent financial ruin.
Key points
- FanDuel is being sued for allegedly using VIP perks to deepen customers' gambling addictions.
- The lawsuit claims a customer, Terry Thompson, lost $18.5 million wagering with FanDuel since 2020 and took out multiple mortgages on his home.
- Bryce Harper, a star athlete and MLB player, sent a personalized video message to Thompson as part of FanDuel's VIP treatment.
- The lawsuit questions the relationship between professional athletes and gambling apps, as MLB players are prohibited from gambling.
- FanDuel's VIP managers build personal relationships with high rollers like Thompson to encourage continued betting.
FanDuel, a sports betting app, is facing a lawsuit for allegedly using VIP perks to deepen customers' gambling addictions. The lawsuit claims that the company's VIP managers, who build personal relationships with high rollers, contributed to a customer's financial ruin.
According to the lawsuit, Terry Thompson, one of the plaintiffs, lost $18.5 million wagering with FanDuel since 2020. He took out multiple mortgages on his home, which eventually went into foreclosure. Thompson also sought psychiatric treatment for his gambling addiction.
The lawsuit highlights a 21-second video message sent by Bryce Harper, a star athlete and MLB player, to Thompson as part of FanDuel's VIP treatment. While Harper does not directly tell Thompson to gamble, the message raises questions about the relationship between professional athletes and gambling apps.
The MLB partners extensively with sports betting companies like FanDuel, but players are prohibited from gambling. Two pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, were federally indicted last year for allegedly accepting bribes to fix pitches.
The lawsuit against FanDuel is ongoing, and the company has not commented on the allegations.
Sources
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