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A Florida attorney has filed 15 lawsuits against FanDuel and DraftKings alleging their sports betting apps were designed to be addictive, adding a legal front to a broader debate over how online sportsbooks keep users engaged.
The claims, highlighted in recent reporting, come as research and survey data point to growing financial stress tied to legalized online sports wagering in the U.S. For players, the story is less about a single court filing than a wider question: how betting apps use notifications, rewards, and account data while also promoting responsible-gaming tools.
Lawsuits target app design and retention tactics
Attorney Jennifer Hoekstra said she represents people who have suffered severe losses from sports betting. According to the report, her 15 lawsuits against FanDuel and DraftKings argue the products were designed to encourage compulsive use.
The article also points to a CBS News investigation describing VIP perks, personalized outreach, and push notifications used to keep bettors active. A former FanDuel employee told CBS that customer behavior could be tracked and that users who stepped away might receive prompts to return.
Hoekstra drew a comparison to earlier litigation involving social media addiction, saying the workflow and notification systems in gambling apps resemble those used on other high-engagement digital platforms.
DraftKings said it could not comment on pending litigation and said employees receive annual responsible-engagement training. FanDuel disputed the allegations, saying any claim that it does not act aggressively to monitor and curb problematic behavior is false.
Research adds to concern about the financial toll
The legal claims arrive alongside new data frequently cited by critics of online betting expansion. A UCLA study published earlier this year found bankruptcies and credit card delinquencies rose by about 25% in states that legalized sports gambling online, according to the report.
The article also cited a National Council on Problem Gambling survey finding that 8% of U.S. adults — almost 20 million people — reported experiencing at least one indicator of problematic gambling behavior “many times” over the past year.
At the same time, sports wagering remains a massive market. The American Gaming Association says online sports betting handle reached $167 billion last year.
What bettors should watch
For now, the report does not specify where the 15 lawsuits were filed or their current procedural status. That leaves key questions unresolved, including whether any court will weigh in on claims that sportsbook app design itself can create legal liability.
Operators and industry groups maintain that most customers gamble responsibly and that tools such as deposit, wager, and loss limits are available. For bettors, the practical takeaway is to pay close attention to how often apps prompt engagement and to use responsible-gaming controls where available.
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Source: As reported by wwaytv3.com.
