WinView takes on DraftKings, FanDuel in high-stakes patent lawsuits

February 12, 2025

WinView takes on DraftKings, FanDuel in high-stakes patent lawsuits

WinView IP Holdings, LLC has launched two major patent infringement lawsuits against industry titans DraftKings and FanDuel, alleging that both companies have unlawfully incorporated WinView’s patented technologies into their sports betting platforms. The cases, filed separately in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, could have significant ramifications for the online gaming industry, potentially leading to massive settlements or operational disruptions for the defendants.

The core of WinView’s claims

WinView, a Delaware-based company specialising in real-time sports gaming technologies, accuses both DraftKings and FanDuel of deliberately infringing on its intellectual property. The company’s patents, developed over decades, cover key innovations such as low-latency streaming, real-time betting synchronisation, and fairness-enhancing mechanisms in sports wagering.

According to court filings, WinView contacted DraftKings and FanDuel to notify them about its patented technology and discuss potential partnerships. Both companies, however, continued to operate their sports betting services using WinView’s intellectual property without entering into a licensing agreement. Moreover, rather than engaging in negotiations, DraftKings and FanDuel allegedly integrated WinView’s proprietary technology into their platforms without permission. As stated in the lawsuit against DraftKings, “DraftKings chose to wilfully infringe WinView’s patents rather than partner with WinView, necessitating this action.”

WinView has filed two separate lawsuits, each targeting one of the largest sports betting operators in the U.S.

WinView vs. DraftKings

The lawsuit against DraftKings names multiple entities, including DraftKings Inc., DK Crown Holdings, Crown Gaming, and SBTech US Inc. WinView claims that DraftKings’ entire gaming ecosystem relies on infringing technology, particularly its sportsbook and daily fantasy sports platforms.

WinView seeks damages and an injunction that could force DraftKings to modify or remove key features unless it agrees to a licensing arrangement. The lawsuit explicitly states, “WinView seeks damages and other relief from DraftKings for its wilful infringement of WinView’s asserted patents by its gaming offerings and related mobile applications.”

WinView vs. FanDuel

Simultaneously, WinView has also sued FanDuel, its parent company Flutter Entertainment, and other affiliated entities such as FanDuel Group Parent LLC and Betfair Interactive US LLC. The case mirrors the allegations against DraftKings but includes additional claims specific to FanDuel’s platform.

WinView alleges that this allows the company to profit unfairly from its intellectual property. According to court documents, “WinView developed and patented novel technology that transformed various aspects of online and mobile gaming, including daily fantasy games, live sports betting, and online casino games. On multiple occasions, WinView contacted FanDuel to notify it about WinView’s patented technology and discuss potential partnerships. FanDuel chose to wilfully infringe WinView’s patents rather than partner with WinView, necessitating this action.”

Billions on the line?

The lawsuits seek “damages and other relief from Defendants for their wilful infringement of WinView’s asserted patents by their gaming offerings and related mobile applications” if the court finds DraftKings and FanDuel guilty of wilful infringement. In such cases, damages could be tripled, putting hundreds of millions—or even billions—of dollars at stake.

Beyond financial consequences, a ruling favoring WinView could significantly force DraftKings and FanDuel to alter their betting platforms. This could disrupt their operations, giving smaller competitors a rare opportunity to gain market share.

Possible outcomes

The lawsuits come at a time when sports betting in the U.S. is booming, with companies processing billions of dollars in wagers annually. Industry insiders believe that both DraftKings and FanDuel will aggressively defend their positions, possibly arguing that WinView’s patents are overly broad or unenforceable.

Some experts speculate that a settlement is the most likely outcome, as both companies may prefer to negotiate licensing fees rather than risk an outright ban on critical platform features. However, if WinView succeeds, it could set a powerful precedent for stronger patent protections in the sports betting industry.