FanDuel has been cited in a lawsuit suing the Flutter Entertainment brand for US$250m over claims that the operator ignored its responsible gaming and anti-money laundering protocols.
As reported by the Associated Press, Amit Patel – a former financial manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who was convicted of stealing $22m from the team – also claims that FanDuel exploited his problem gambling.
Patel alleges that FanDuel knew that the $20m he used to wager on daily fantasy sports contests was either stolen or not legitimately acquired.
FanDuel also knew Patel worked for the NFL’s Jaguars and so could not legally place a bet, the lawsuit also argues.
FanDuel is alleged to have given over $1.1m in gambling credits to Patel and his personal host allegedly contacted him up to 100 times a day, from morning until night.
“The complaint certainly does not claim the addicted gambler is blameless, but the suit does try to apportion responsibility in a way that accounts for FanDuel’s very active involvement in his gambling addiction,” said Patel’s lawyer, Matthew Litt, via the Associated Press.
In December, Patel pleaded guilty to wire fraud and other charges, agreeing to repay the money he stole from the Jaguars.
