Baltimore Sues DraftKings, FanDuel Over Deceptive Practices

The City of Baltimore has filed a lawsuit against DraftKings and FanDuel, alleging violations of the city’s Consumer Protection Ordinance by exploiting vulnerable gamblers. The complaint claims that the sportsbooks use misleading promotions and sophisticated analytics to target individuals with gambling disorders, thereby encouraging compulsive gambling behavior. Mayor Brandon Scott expressed that these practices are detrimental to the community, and the lawsuit aims to hold the companies accountable for their alleged unethical tactics. The city is seeking statutory penalties and an order to stop the targeting of disordered gamblers. Both companies have refrained from commenting on the pending litigation. The lawsuit comes amid a booming sports betting market in Maryland, which has seen significant growth since online betting was legalized in 2021.