A man is suing online gambling site DraftKings after losing both his wedding savings and his job as a result of using the site. The lawsuit alleges 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 users in with offers of free bets and fantasy league-style games. Stake has been one of the more controversial platforms in the rise of online gaming, with many popular streamers such as Adin Ross pulling sponsorship from the platform and facing accusations that Stake rigs are winning for popular streamers. Now, a scorned DraftKings user is suing the platform for feeding his gambling addiction.
DraftKings users are suing the platform after losing over $2 million
32-year-old Chicago resident Dane Miller has officially filed a federal lawsuit against DraftKings over his lost savings. In the lawsuit, Miller claims that DraftKings actively ignored his growing signs of gambling addiction linked to the platform and even encouraged his habits. Dane Miller testifies that DraftKings gave him VIP status on the platform while he was struggling with his addiction, which significantly increased his playing time and led to him losing his wedding savings and taking out credit card advances and loans. Miller claims to have lost more than $2 million 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 allegations about how the platform fails to implement proper safeguards for users struggling with gambling addiction. The legal complaint alleges that the site preys on users' “emotional vulnerability” and makes them gamble by using “personalized algorithms that encourage the user to chase their losses.” Miller also shares a story in the complaint about his personal experience with the platform, alleging that DraftKings caused a relapse by offering a free $200 credit 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 around gambling.
Dane Miller's lawsuit is part of a growing trend against online gambling. The streaming platform Twitch imposed bans on several websites that offer online gambling, specifically referring to games such as slots, roulette and dice games. Competitor streaming site Kick has bucked the trend with its support for online gaming platforms, backed by the aforementioned Stake. Many countries have even placed restrictions on various games where gambling is not the main focus, including bans on GTA 5's Diamond Casino in 50 different regions.
The crackdown on gambling has also seen many countries take more aggressive stances against game 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 over the platform's use of loot boxes. The European ratings board PEGI even addressed loot boxes with its implementation of several new ratings, including one defining “paid random items” in video games. The growth of online gambling and the recent backlash against the practice will likely continue to be debated in online spaces for years to come.
Source: Dexerto
