DraftKings Addiction Lawsuit 2026: Steps To Qualify for a Claim

Sports betting platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel make it easy for users to wager on their favorite sporting events. Easy access to sportsbook betting can pose a risk for people who have a gambling addiction, leading to financial losses, emotional distress, and relationship harm.

Some victims of sports betting gambling addiction have joined class action lawsuits against the gaming apps to hold them responsible for taking advantage of problem bettors. If you suffered harm related to gambling addiction, talk to a class action and mass torts lawyer about your legal options.

What Are Online Sports Betting Platforms?

Not long ago, online sports betting was illegal in most states. However, in the 2018 case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could set their own sports gambling laws. Now, 39 states and Washington, D.C. allow some form of sports betting.

Among the most popular options for sports betting are online gambling apps. Some of the largest sports betting apps include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook. These apps allow users to fund their accounts and make bets on sporting contests, including college and professional sports.

Sports betting apps let users place common bets, such as moneyline and point spread bets, on NBA, NFL, and college basketball games. However, bettors can also place bets on daily fantasy sports, player props, and team futures (like during March Madness).

For some users, the betting app algorithms encourage compulsive behavior. These targeted reward systems can manipulate players, pushing bettors to gamble money they can’t afford to lose. The gambling apps offer in-game push notifications, bonus bets, deposit matches, and VIP programs to encourage betting activities.

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Sports Betting Addictions

Sports betting addictions can pose financial and health risks for vulnerable users. A gambling disorder involves persistent, recurrent problematic gambling behavior that leads to significant impairment or distress. Sports betting can lead to compulsive gambling, in which gamblers increase their bets to achieve the desired excitement.

Problem gambling behaviors can cause more than just financial harm. Mental health risks include depression, emotional harm, loss of sleep, and suicidal thoughts. Gambling addictions can also harm your family relationships.

According to the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, warning signs of addiction include:

• Spending more than intended
• Gambling for longer than intended
• Serious debt or financial trouble
• Lying to hide gambling losses
• Unable to set betting limits
• Borrowing or stealing from family members and loved ones
• Poor job performance caused by gambling

Talk to a health professional if you have questions about problem gambling. You can also contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.

Filing a Gambling Addiction Lawsuit

Victims of a gambling disorder can take legal action against online gambling platforms. Potential legal claims include:

• Product liability
• Personal injury
• Deceptive marketing
• Consumer protection violations

Potential damages in a sports betting lawsuit include financial compensation, emotional distress, and punitive damages.

You may qualify for a DraftKings gambling addiction lawsuit if you:

• Gambled as a minor
• Lost money because of deceptive ads
• Have a gambling addiction

Lawsuits Against DraftKings and FanDuel

The City of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against DraftKings and FanDuel for violating consumer protection laws, alleging that the sportsbooks used internally deceptive and abusive business practices to take advantage of consumers. The sportsbooks offered “risk-free” bets (later called bonus bets or “No Sweat” bets), but these deceptive promotions had complex fine print terms and conditions that were not advertised in betting ads.

The lawsuit claims the online sportsbooks tailored notifications and bonuses to losing bettors who may be more likely to have gambling addiction problems. The lawsuit also alleged that the online betting companies have additional safeguards in place for their betting apps in the United Kingdom, but choose not to apply the problematic gambling protections in the U.S.

Attorneys have also filed a class action against DraftKings in Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The class action complaints allege the online gambling app used deceptive and misleading advertisements to entice consumers to gamble more than they intended. However, these bets were subject to expiration, and bonuses were not immediately available for payout. The lawsuits also alleged that the promised matching deposits were misleading.

How To Get a Lawyer for a Gambling Addiction Claim

Generally, attorneys accepting gambling addiction lawsuits work on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t have to pay anything up front. Instead, the attorneys will be paid a percentage of the compensation you receive.

Talk to an attorney for more information about how much you could recover through legal action. You may file an individual claim against the sports betting apps or join a class action lawsuit, which combines the claims of multiple plaintiffs, giving them greater bargaining power against the large gaming companies.

Legal Advice for Filing an Online Gambling Addiction Claim

When online gambling apps use deceptive practices to take advantage of vulnerable users, the victims can take legal action to hold them accountable. However, under the statute of limitations, you may have a limited time to file a claim. The deadline for filing a lawsuit can vary depending on state law and your specific situation.

Contact a local legal team with experience handling class action sports betting claims for legal advice. Your attorney can explain your legal rights and help you file a lawsuit to recover compensation. For more information, contact a local class action attorney for legal advice.