The probe follows a July controversy involving FanDuel & a known problem gambler.
The hit
DraftKings has formally denied congressional claims that it uses AI or marketing to keep losing bettors wagering, according to Casino.org. The denial responds to an inquiry from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Paul Tonko & Rep. Valerie Foushee, who questioned how the sportsbook targets promotions.
Why it matters
The dispute centres on whether sportsbooks exploit data to chase losses from vulnerable customers. It could feed into the SAFE Bet Act, which would force affordability checks & limit bettors to 5 deposits a day, a bill that has stalled since 2024 but which Casino.org says could fare differently in 2027.
The record
| Alleged losses | More than $1.5m on FanDuel & $300,000 on DraftKings by a bettor, according to Casino.org |
|---|---|
| Trigger incident | July controversy over a personalised Bryce Harper video sent by FanDuel to a known problem gambler |
| ProPublica claim | Reporter posing as a problem gambler says DraftKings made them a VIP |
| Self-exclusion policy | DraftKings says it does not proactively market to these accounts for at least 30 days after a cool-off or exclusion ends |
| VIP host checks | Each VIP host randomly picks 10 of their customers monthly for a check, DraftKings says |
What happens next
Democrats are set to take control of Congress in January 2027, which Casino.org says could make things different for the SAFE Bet Act after years of stalled progress since its 2024 introduction.
Sources: DraftKings Rejects Claims It Targets Losing Bettors With Incentives
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