Reporter's $22,000 Betting Spree Tests DraftKings and FanDuel Safeguards
ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson spent 10 weeks betting heavily on DraftKings and FanDuel to test how the platforms respond to signs of problem gambling. The project examines the rapid expansion of legal sports betting since a 2018 Supreme Court decision and the billions in wagers and state tax revenue it has generated. It also cites surveys and experts warning about financial harm, addiction, and self-harm linked to sportsbook use.
After the 2018 Supreme Court decision allowed states to permit sports wagering, it became lawful in 39 states and Washington, D.C. In eight years, legal operators have processed more than $600 billion in wagers, producing billions in tax receipts for states.
A Siena Research Institute poll this year found roughly one in four active sportsbook customers said a loss made it hard to cover their bills. Other studies and health specialists caution about insolvency, dependency, and self-injury.
The experiment may draw attention to how betting platforms respond when users show signs of harm. People who gamble heavily, their families, and communities could face financial strain, addiction, or related distress. Regulators and lawmakers may use such reporting to weigh whether existing safeguards are adequate, while platforms could face pressure to adjust design and promotions. The story may also shape public understanding as legal betting and prediction markets expand.