DraftKings VIP Test Finds Promotions Alongside RG Messages
A DraftKings account used in a 10-week ProPublica experiment received responsible-gambling messages while also moving into the operator’s VIP program.
One of the sharpest examples came on May 7. Reporter Jake Pearson had been losing on parlays when the app suggested that he take a break and showed him responsible-gambling tools. Later that day, a 20% profit boost appeared for live baseball microbets. The offer applied to stakes of up to $250.
ProPublica published the experiment on September 26. Pearson had opened the account in his real name, disclosed that he was a reporter and used money supplied by the newsroom.
His betting behavior was deliberate. Before starting, he spoke with researchers, a professional bettor and a recovering gambler, then incorporated some of the patterns they discussed into the test.
VIP Contact Followed $1,800 Losing Session
Pearson lost almost $1,800 during one night and increased his stakes while trying to recover the losses. DraftKings contacted him the next day about its VIP Showcase.
He spent roughly another two weeks in that qualification process before becoming a VIP customer. Total deposits on the account were $5,800 by that point. Pearson was also receiving responsible-gambling material during the experiment.
His own log found in-app notices on 14 of the 71 days when he bet. DraftKings counted 32 communications in total, a figure that also covered emails and other messages.
The company said its responsible-gaming department has 51 employees. Accounts can be sent for manual review when internal indicators reach the required level.
That did not happen to Pearson. He said nobody from the team contacted him directly during the 10-week test.
DraftKings said the activity on his account had not met its threshold for intervention.
Three-Day Cool-Off Stopped the Account
Pearson later used one of the available controls himself. A three-day cool-off prevented him from betting and also stopped promotional pushes during the restriction. The VIP relationship was still there when the account reopened.
Within days, Pearson asked his host what he might receive if he deposited another $5,000. The discussion ended with $1,250 in DK Dollars being added to the account. DraftKings noted that Pearson, rather than the host, had started that exchange.
Responsible-gaming chief Lori Kalani told ProPublica that such a credit can be available to VIP customers. She was also asked about May 7, when the responsible-gaming prompt and baseball promotion arrived within hours of each other. Kalani said the episode would be sent for review and cautioned against treating one test account as representative of all DraftKings customers.
FanDuel Test Did Not Produce a VIP Invite
ProPublica used Pearson for a second test at FanDuel, but that account was active for only one week. He was not invited into its VIP program. During one long betting session, FanDuel displayed six Reality Check notices.
The difference in test length suggests that the two accounts cannot be treated as a direct comparison.