A man is suing online betting website DraftKings after he lost his wedding and job savings as a result of using the site. The lawsuit alleges that DraftKings failed to provide adequate protection despite growing signs of gambling addiction and allowed it to escalate.
Online gambling has become more prominent than ever in recent years thanks to the rise of gambling websites and betting apps. Platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel have given users easier access to sports betting than ever before, attracting users with offers of free bets and fantasy league-style games. Stake is one of the most controversial platforms in the rise of online gambling, with many popular streamers such as Adin Ross taking sponsorship from the platform and facing accusations that Stake rigs wins for popular streamers. Now, a scorned DraftKings user is suing the platform for fueling his gambling addiction.
A DraftKings user is suing the platform after losing more than $2 million
32-year-old Chicago resident Dane Miller has officially filed a federal lawsuit against DraftKings over his lost savings. Miller alleges in the lawsuit that DraftKings actively ignored his growing signs of gambling addiction associated with the platform and even encouraged his habits. Dane Miller confirms that DraftKings granted him VIP status on the platform while he was battling his addiction, which greatly increased his playing time and resulted in him losing his wedding savings and taking out credit card and loan deposits. Miller claims to have lost more than $2 million gambling on DraftKings, similar to the stories of streamers like xQc who have lost on online gambling sites.
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The DraftKings lawsuit makes several claims about how the platform fails to put proper safeguards in place for users struggling with gambling addiction. The legal complaint alleges that the website exploits users' “emotional vulnerability” and forces them to play with “personalized algorithms that encourage users to chase their losses.” Miller also shares a story in the complaint about his personal experience with the platform, alleging that DraftKings caused him to relapse by offering free $200 credits shortly after he was released from an addiction-related hospital stay. Miller's lawsuit joins a broader push as platforms like YouTube tighten their gambling policies.
Dan Miller's lawsuit is part of a growing trend against online gambling. Streaming platform Twitch has banned several websites that offer online gambling, specifically referring to games such as slots, roulette and craps. Rival streaming site Kick has bucked the trend with its support of online gambling platforms behind the aforementioned Stake. Many countries have even imposed restrictions on various games where gambling is not the main objective, including a ban GTA 5's Diamond Casino in 50 different regions.
The crackdown on gambling has also seen many countries take more aggressive stances against gambling mechanisms in video games. Loot boxes have been the focus of many regulatory bodies, such as the state of New York, which filed a lawsuit against Valve over the platform's use of loot boxes. The European rating board PEGI has even addressed loot boxes by implementing several new ratings, including one that defines “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
