In the court documents, Patel’s attorney, Matthew Litt, claims that FanDuel actively targeted Patel to exacerbate his addiction. “Defendants actively and intentionally targeted and preyed on Plaintiff with incentives, credits, and gifts to create, nurture, expedite, and/or exacerbate his addiction,” the lawsuit states. Patel reportedly transferred approximately $20 million to the sportsbook during his time as a gambler.
The lawsuit details extensive communication between Patel and his VIP host at FanDuel, Brett Krause, with reports of up to 100 contacts a day. Patel’s legal team alleges that Krause acknowledged breaking anti-money laundering protocols and even moved certain conversations to personal devices to avoid detection by compliance personnel.
In response to the lawsuit, an attorney for Krause dismissed Patel’s claims, stating, “Amit Patel is a convicted fraudster and it’s no surprise his complaint is full of misrepresentations.” The attorney further asserted that Patel defrauded both Krause and the Jaguars.
While the lawsuit does not deny Patel’s role in the fraudulent activities, it argues that FanDuel should share in the responsibility for enabling his gambling disorder. “The goal of the suit is a fair apportionment of responsibility among all responsible parties,” Litt remarked, emphasizing the need for FanDuel to reconsider its practices regarding incentivizing high-risk gamblers.
Patel was diagnosed with a gambling disorder shortly after his termination from the Jaguars in March 2023. He has since sought therapy and has been participating in support meetings. Currently serving a 6½-year sentence in federal prison, Patel faces a lawsuit from the Jaguars seeking $66.6 million in damages related to his embezzlement.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case raises critical questions about the responsibilities of online gambling platforms in safeguarding against problem gambling and the ethical implications of incentivizing players with addictive tendencies.
