• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 24, 2025

Baltimore Sues DraftKings, FanDuel Over ‘Exploiting’ Gambling Addicts

The city claims the sportsbooks create and encourage problem gamblers to maximize profits.

Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The City of Baltimore sued DraftKings and FanDuel parent Flutter on Thursday, claiming the sportsbooks lure in customers with deals, entice them into becoming problem gamblers, and excessively target these users to exploit them for financial gain.

“The platforms are designed to create disordered gamblers and then exploit them,” reads the 51-page complaint filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

The complaint says DraftKings and FanDuel use “bonus bets” and other offers to bring in customers and “hook” them on betting. Then, the filing claims, the sportsbooks “relentlessly ping their users to bet and bet often,” and “purposefully tweak their algorithms to target those likely to have gambling disorders and extract what the companies euphemistically refer to as ‘maximum potential revenue’ or ‘lifetime total value’ from each user over time.” 

The companies have so much data on their users that they can target push notifications to their betting preferences, the suit says, and set up VIP programs that further personalize their experience with “hosts” who chat and give offers to frequent bettors. At least one local problem gambling organization has received an increased number of calls from young men as the sports betting industry grows, the suit claims.

The complaint references a widely-cited 2020 report from the U.K. parliament’s House of Lords that found just 5% of users produce 60% of the profits in online gaming.

The filing says many of the data-driven practices used to identify VIPs in the U.S. have been changed with government reforms to spot potential problem gamblers in the U.K. There, Flutter ended VIP programs and put in extra protections for users under 25 years old, the suit mentions.

Baltimore is the first U.S. city or state to take on sportsbooks in court for targeting problem gamblers. A woman in Pennsylvania sued DraftKings in February in federal court in New York, saying the company “intentionally targeted and preyed on” her even after she expressed financial struggles to her VIP “host.”

The city argues the companies violate Baltimore’s Consumer Protection Ordinance, and demand a jury trial.

“These companies are engaging in shady practices, and the people of our city are literally paying the price,” Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. 

“DraftKings and FanDuel have specifically targeted our most vulnerable residents—including those struggling with gambling disorders—and have caused significant harm as a result. This lawsuit is a critical step to hold them accountable and protect all Baltimoreans.”

Fanduel said that it “does not comment on specific allegations in pending litigation” but that it was confident it hadn’t broken Maryland law. A representative for DraftKings did not immediately respond.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ole Miss

Coach Yo: Women’s College Hoops Are ‘Pay for Play’

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin built a top transfer class this offseason.

The House Settlement Is in Jeopardy. Here’s What It Will Take to..

The parties will try to salvage the settlement over the next two weeks.
James Harden

Adidas Posts Big Profits in First Quarter Without Yeezy

Profits and sales are up after selling off remaining Yeezys last year.
NC State women's cross country

Judge Threatens to Reject $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

The NCAA and power conferences could end up at trial.

Featured Today

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Mar 13, 2020; Augusta, GA, USA; The front entrance at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday morning. The Masters Tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
opinion
April 20, 2025

What’s It Like to Play Augusta? A Day on the World’s Most..

Inside a round at the most exclusive club in the world.
Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) during the third quarter of game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

Kalshi’s Offensive Blitz Continues With Suit Against Maryland

Kalshi previously sued regulators in Nevada and New Jersey.
April 16, 2025

Sports Prediction Markets Still Face Legal Roadblocks

The Wire Act and tribal sovereignty could be the next legal battlegrounds.
The sun rises behind the New York skyline seen from the Jersey City waterfront on Thursday morning Dec. 10, 2020.
April 22, 2025

N.Y. Sports Betting Faces Major Limits Under New Proposal

Newly proposed legislation would impose daily betting caps and limit advertising.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
April 14, 2025

Bank Says Sports Betting Could Weather Tariff Storm

Lower tax revenues could encourage more states to legalize sports betting.
Sports gambling reached an all-time high in 2022.
April 9, 2025

Kalshi Gears Up for Legal Fight With States

Maryland followed at least five other states that have sent cease-and-desist letters.
Potawatomi Sports Book patrons the University of Wisconsin men play UCLA on Friday, March 14, 2025. The venue is open for the first time during March Madness and is expecting to be busy over the next few weeks in Milwaukee.
April 8, 2025

Kalshi Notches Legal Win in Fight With Nevada

Kalshi can keep offering its sports event contracts in Nevada—for now.
Potawatomi Sportsbook patrons watch the University of Wisconsin men play UCLA on Friday, March 14, 2025. The venue is open for the first time during March Madness and is expecting to be busy over the next few weeks in Milwaukee.
April 4, 2025

All Signs Point to Trump Admin OK’ing Kalshi’s Sports Contracts

The federal government appears ready to approve Kalshi’s sports event contracts.