Introduction

A ProPublica reporter spent 10 weeks intentionally betting like a problem gambler on the two largest U.S. sportsbook apps, documenting how design and promotion influence user behavior.

What Happened

Jake Pearson opened accounts on DraftKings and FanDuel, placing wagers across dozens of events each week. He increased bet size and frequency, chasing losses as the experiment progressed. The apps sent pop-up reminders, time alerts, and promotional prompts, sometimes immediately after he set limits. Pearson observed that design elements such as easy deposit flows and real-time odds highlights often counteracted the responsible gaming tools he opted into.

Why This Matters

Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision opened the door for state-level legalization, sports betting has expanded to 39 states and Washington DC with more than 600 billion wagered in eight years. A Siena Research Institute survey found about a quarter of active account holders struggled to meet financial obligations after losses. Public health experts link the growth to rising cases of bankruptcy, addiction, and self-harm. The experiment raises questions about whether current app safeguards are sufficient.

Key Takeaways

  • DraftKings and FanDuel offer responsible gaming tools including time alerts spending limits and email nudges but users report these can be overridden by aggressive design and promotions.
  • Over a quarter of regular sportsbook users face financial strain from losses according to recent surveys.
  • Regulators in states like Colorado and Massachusetts are questioning whether existing protections keep pace with app design tactics.
  • ProPublica is collecting user data from 250 bettors to further analyze how apps respond to problematic behavior.

Conclusion

The experiment suggests that while sportsbook apps provide some safeguards they may not fully counteract design choices that encourage continued play. As legal sports betting expands stronger consumer protections and greater transparency will likely be needed. ProPublica invites users to share their app data to help shape that future.