Politics

Our Reporter Spent 10 Weeks Gambling on DraftKings. Here Are 5 Things He Learned.

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/10/2026, 11:24:24 UTC.

Briefings

ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson tested DraftKings' responsible gaming safeguards by mimicking a problem gambler for 10 weeks. He found that despite in-app warnings about deposit limits, the app's design and promotions encouraged continued betting. Key findings include that nearly half of men aged 18-49 have active sportsbook accounts, and a small percentage of problem gamblers account for a large share of revenue. The study highlights a gap between regulatory requirements and user adoption of safety tools.

Key points

• Nearly a quarter of all Americans and half of men ages 18 to 49 have active sportsbook accounts, with frequent losers representing a substantial portion of revenue.
• DraftKings' in-app responsible gaming tools rely on user opt-in, yet only about 8% of active users in Massachusetts used them as of April, despite millions visiting the center.

Context

This investigation was conducted by ProPublica to test online gambling guardrails following the Supreme Court's 2018 sports betting legalization. It addresses public health concerns and calls for stricter consumer protections, contrasting with companies' claims of adequate safeguards.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to Pearson's 10-week experiment and expert interviews; specific data on account closure frequency is unavailable. The study relies on self-reported data and does not include all users, limiting generalizability.

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