FanDuel Pays Jacksonville Jaguars $5M After $22M Employee Theft

FanDuel has agreed to pay the Jacksonville Jaguars $5 million to partially compensate for the nearly $20 million stolen by former Jaguars employee Amit Patel, who used the funds to gamble on the FanDuel platform. Patel pleaded guilty to wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. The NFL encouraged FanDuel and the Jaguars to resolve the dispute amicably, as FanDuel is an official league betting partner motivated to maintain a good relationship. The Jaguars initially demanded repayment from FanDuel, which claimed it received the money "fair and clear," but later agreed to the settlement. Patel has also sued FanDuel, alleging they exploited his gambling addiction and failed to enforce responsible gaming and anti-money laundering procedures. This case highlights ongoing concerns about sports betting regulation, sportsbook responsibilities, and the integrity of NFL operations.