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A ProPublica investigation is drawing fresh attention to how major sportsbooks respond when a bettor shows warning signs associated with problem gambling. In a 10-week documentary experiment, reporter Jake Pearson wagered heavily on DraftKings and FanDuel to see whether the apps would slow him down or continue to encourage betting.
According to ProPublica, Pearson asked editors for more than $20,000 for the project, then increased the size and frequency of his NBA playoff wagers and chased losses with bigger bets. The goal, the outlet said, was to make visible the kinds of behaviors tied to gambling addiction and test how the platforms reacted.
What the experiment said the apps did
ProPublica reported that Pearson received pop-up notices, reminders, and emails about his activity. After one loss, he was nudged to “take a beat.”
But the report also said some features pushed in the other direction. Pearson saw promotions and design choices that encouraged him to keep betting, including some offers that appeared after he set limits on his play.
DraftKings told ProPublica it does not want to profit from people who cannot control their gambling. The company said it trains more than 5,000 employees on responsible gaming and has more than 50 full-time staff dedicated to what it called its “responsible engagement” program. A FanDuel spokesperson said its system is “designed to identify potential risk early and empower customers with real-time information about their play.”
Why the report matters beyond one experiment
The story lands as sports betting remains widely available across the U.S. ProPublica said sports betting has been legalized in 39 states and Washington, D.C. since 2018, with more than $600 billion wagered through legal sportsbooks over the last eight years.
The outlet also said regulators and lawmakers in states including Colorado and Massachusetts have begun questioning whether sportsbooks have enough protections in place. For players, the practical takeaway is that responsible-gambling tools may exist, but the investigation raises questions about how effective those tools are when they appear alongside promotions and other prompts to continue wagering.
ProPublica is also seeking at least 250 DraftKings or FanDuel users willing to share account data, including transaction histories, for a broader analysis of how the apps respond to user behavior.
If you bet in New York or elsewhere, this story is another reminder to review the limits and safety tools available in your account and to step away if gambling stops feeling controlled.
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Source: As reported by propublica.org.
