A man is suing the online betting website DraftKings after losing both his wedding savings and his job as a result of using the site. The lawsuit claims that DraftKings did not provide adequate protection, despite growing signs of gambling addiction and allowed his addiction to escalate.
Online gambling has become more prominent than ever in recent years with the rise of both gambling-focused websites and betting apps. Platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel have given users easier access than ever to sports betting, drawing in users with offers of free bets and fantasy-league-styled games. Stake has been one of the more controversial platforms in the rise of online gambling, with many popular streamers like Adin Ross taking sponsorships from the platform and facing allegations that Stake rigs wins for popular streamers. Now, a scorned DraftKings user is suing the platform for feeding his gambling addiction.
DraftKings User is Suing the Platform After Losing Over $2 Million
32-year-old Chicago resident Dane Miller has officially filed a federal court lawsuit against DraftKings over his lost savings. In the suit, Miller alleges that DraftKings actively ignored his growing signs of gambling addiction connected to the platform and even encouraged his habits. Dane Miller attests that DraftKings gave him VIP status on the platform while he was struggling with his addiction, significantly boosting his playtime and leading to him losing his wedding savings and taking out credit card advances and loans. Miller claims to have lost more than $2 million from gambling on DraftKings, similar to stories of streamers like xQc losing big on online gambling sites.
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The DraftKings lawsuit makes several claims about how the platform fails to implement proper safeguards for users struggling with gambling addiction. The legal complaint alleges that the website preys on users’ “emotional vulnerability” and keeps them playing by using “personalized algorithms that encourage the user to chase their losses.” Miller also shares a story within the complaint about his personal experience with the platform, claiming that DraftKings caused a relapse by offering a free $200 credits shortly after he was discharged from a hospital stay related to his addiction. Miller’s lawsuit joins a broader push as platforms like YouTube tighten their policies surrounding gambling.
Dane Miller’s lawsuit is part of a growing trend rallying against online gambling. Streaming platform Twitch instituted bans on several websites that offer online gambling, specifically citing games like slots, roulette, and dice games. Competitor streaming site Kick has bucked the trend with its support of online gambling platforms, backed by the previously mentioned Stake. Many countries have even placed restrictions on different games where gambling isn’t the main focus, including the banning of GTA 5‘s Diamond Casino in 50 different regions.
The crackdown on gambling has also seen many countries take more aggressive stances against gambling mechanics in video games. Loot boxes have been among the biggest focuses of many governing bodies, such as the state of New York filing a lawsuit against Valve for the platform’s use of loot boxes. European ratings board PEGI even addressed loot boxes with its implementation of several new ratings, including one that defines “paid random items” in video games. The growth of online gambling and the recent pushback against the practice will likely continue to be debated in online spaces for years to come.
Source: Dexerto