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State of Play’s TL;DR
- A ProPublica investigation says DraftKings promoted and VIP-targeted a reporter posing as a problem gambler.
- FanDuel showed more repeated safety prompts.
A ProPublica investigation is putting renewed focus on how major US sportsbooks respond when customer behaviour appears risky.
The report says a journalist who spent 10 weeks on DraftKings while mimicking problem gambling patterns was sent repeated promotions and eventually accepted into the operator’s VIP program after heavy losses, even as the app also displayed responsible gambling messages.
The story compared that experience with a shorter FanDuel test, where the reporter said he saw multiple “Reality Check” reminders and was not invited into a VIP program.
DraftKings reportedly sent safety prompts while continuing promotional outreach
According to ProPublica, the reporter lost about $12,500 on DraftKings during the experiment. The report says DraftKings issued a New York-mandated responsible gaming notice after the account crossed $2,500 in total deposits, telling the user that staying on top of spending helps keep play “fun and safe.”
But ProPublica says the same account continued receiving promotional messages tied to more betting, including push notifications such as “Bet, settle, repeat!” and offers focused on live microbets and parlays. The report also says DraftKings invited the reporter to a VIP program after a night in which nearly $1,800 was lost, and that he was formally accepted after three weeks and $5,800 in deposits.
DraftKings told ProPublica it rejects any implication that its marketing practices are unfair or improperly target customers. The company’s chief responsible gaming officer, Lori Kalani, also told the outlet the industry is doing a good job of educating customers, raising awareness, and monitoring accounts.
FanDuel response described as more intervention-focused
In the FanDuel portion of the test, ProPublica says the reporter encountered six “Reality Check” reminders during betting sessions. The story says he was not invited into a VIP program during the weeklong test on that app.
FanDuel told ProPublica its reminders are “designed to identify potential risk early and empower customers with real-time information about their play.” The report also notes one wager was reduced, though it said it was unclear whether that was tied to risk concerns.
Why the report matters
ProPublica frames the experiment as part of a wider debate over whether sportsbook safeguards can meaningfully counter aggressive retention tactics for high-spending users. The story points to growing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators in states including Colorado and Massachusetts, as well as the rapid expansion of legal sports betting across 39 states and Washington, D.C. since 2018.
For players, the takeaway is less about one test case than the broader tension it highlights: responsible gambling tools may appear alongside marketing designed to keep betting activity going. Anyone concerned about their play should consider using operator limit-setting tools or seeking outside support where available.
Based on reporting by Jake Pearson for ProPublica.
