FanDuel object to player protection measures

Jake Graves December 11, 2023

SiGMA news

FanDuel object to player protection measures

US online gambling operator, FanDuel, has been revealed to have lobbied against proposed rules aimed at protecting young and vulnerable individuals and addressing problem gambling.

According to documents obtained through a freedom of information request, the Flutter-owned operator was in opposition of banning specific words and phrases that could attract potential problem gamblers to their platform.

FanDuel’s stance

FanDuel’s objections also extended to the proposal to restrict advertisements near college campuses where the legal gambling age is 21.

Their objections to these new proposals have been documented by the New York State Gaming Commission’s general counsel and also extended to rules for the fantasy sports market.

These opposed measures that hold operators strictly liable for allowing prohibited individuals to use their platforms and seeking the removal of a rule requiring compulsive gambling assistance messages in advertisements.

The operator is alleged to have claimed that these measures are impractical and subjective.

Further to this point, FanDuel stated that the language here is vague and may unintentionally encompass unaffiliated residential and commercial areas nearby

Gambling hypocrisy

Many problem-gambling advocates have criticised the apparent hypocrisy these allegations suggest. This is due to the operators initially supporting specific measures surrounding new regulations and subsequently seeking to weaken them.

FanDuel has remained silent on the matter, however, to this point the operator has previously declared that it is committed to player protection and promoting healthy gambling habits.

These contrasting communications have sparked stronger concerns among advocates and industry observers emphasising the need for continued scrutiny and regulation to protect consumers, particularly those vulnerable to problem gambling.

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