Our underage gambling attorneys are representing those who were diagnosed with gambling addiction as minors after using sports betting platforms like FanDuel or DraftKings.
Key Takeaways:
- Minors who develop gambling addiction after using online sports betting platforms like FanDuel or DraftKings may qualify to file a lawsuit.
- Parents and guardians can file lawsuits on behalf of minors affected by online gambling addiction.
- Compensation may be available for financial losses, mental health treatment costs and emotional harm damages.
- These lawsuits are part of a growing wave of litigation targeting digital platforms for addictive design and inadequate safeguards.
FanDuel and DraftKings have been accused of allowing minors to open and use accounts, fueling gambling addiction in adolescents who have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation as a result.
State fraud reports obtained by USA Today show that thousands of underage users have placed millions of dollars in illegal bets through online betting platforms each year.
Sports gambling addiction lawsuits are being filed against online gambling companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel for allegedly targeting minors and individuals with gambling addiction through deceptive marketing practices.
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes gambling disorder as being a behavioral addiction which may lead to significant impairment and is a legal basis for claims in gambling addiction lawsuits.
Legal claims against gambling platforms commonly focus on whether their marketing practices and designs contributed to addiction and compulsive gambling behaviors among users.
Call our experienced digital platform lawsuit lawyers today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or your child was diagnosed with gambling addiction after using a sports betting app like FanDuel or DraftKings. We can help you seek justice and compensation, and will charge you no legal fee until we win your case.
Why Gambling Addiction Victims Trust Us
- Too many law firms sign as many cases as they can without taking into consideration if they have the staffing to handle them all. However, our responsive legal team is fully staffed and provides our underaged gambling addiction clients with 24/7 availability, legal guidance, reliable communication and frequent case updates.
- We have a proven track record and have been trusted since 1990 to recover financial compensation and favorable outcomes for underage gambling addiction victims and other clients.
- Our lawyers offer free consultations and represent underage gambling victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will charge you no legal fee until we win.
- We have a high-stakes litigation team who has the experience handling big cases, the legal expertise and the comprehensive resources to take on big companies like FanDuel and DraftKings and win.
- While some law firms are willing to settle cheaply for a quick buck, our trial-ready representation isn’t afraid to go to court to fight for you.
- We and our legal teams have recovered over $750 million for clients.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on cases’ specific facts.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658.
Table of Contents
- How FanDuel and DraftKings Are Failing to Keep Out Minors
- Who Qualifies for an Underage Gambling Lawsuit?
- What Gambling Disorder Actually Looks Like
- DraftKings VIP Concierge: How Platforms Keep High-Volume Users Hooked
- What Are the Harms Linked to Underage Internet Gambling?
- What Compensation May Be Available in an Underaged Online Gambling Lawsuit?
- FAQs
- Contact Our Underage Gambling Attorneys Today
How FanDuel and DraftKings Are Failing to Keep Out Minors
A 2026 NCPG survey found that two-thirds of Americans are concerned about underage exposure to gambling and gambling-like activities, such as online gambling and slot machines.
Gaming industry titans like FanDuel and DraftKings spend heavily on influencer marketing, sports sponsorships and app-based promotions that normalize betting for younger audiences like teens and young adults. Some of these promotions are even deceptive, such as “bonus bet” and “risk free” promotions that get players hooked and keep them spending.
Online sportsbooks and gambling companies are increasingly using aggressive marketing to target minors, often employing promotions and flashy advertisements that appeal to younger audiences, raising questions about corporate responsibility.
Weak Age Verification Systems
Many online gambling platforms use weak age-verification systems. This makes it easier for minors to access gambling services as well as be exposed to targeted marketing.
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimated that nearly 160 million youth under the age of 18 had engaged in commercial gambling in the past 12 months as of October 2025. This highlights both the ineffectiveness of age verification systems and the effectiveness of marketing strategies aimed at minors.
FanDuel and DraftKings use third-party identity checks which cross-reference name, date of birth and Social Security Number against external databases. However, these systems have documented gaps that minors have exploited by using a parent’s credentials or SSN to entirely bypass verification.
Real-World Examples of Verification Failures
A USA Today investigation documented a 16-year-old DraftKings customer using his father’s credentials to place bets in 2024. He was only identified after a deposit linked to his own bank account revealed his age.
Sportsbooks in Tennessee notified the state’s Sports Wagering Council of 105 underage account usages in 2024. This number more than quadrupled the following year.
Underage gambling is illegal in every state. Platforms which fail to prevent minor participation might face heightened scrutiny in addiction-related claims.
Who Qualifies for an Underage Gambling Lawsuit?
You may qualify to file an underaged online gambling lawsuit if all of the following apply to you or your child:
- The person was under 18 when they started gambling on FanDuel, DraftKings or a comparable platform
- They have a formal clinical diagnosis of gambling disorder under the DSM-5-TR
- They sustained gambling losses of $50,000 or more
Cases without a medical diagnosis will not qualify regardless of financial losses.
Parents and guardians may file on behalf of minor children.
Our law firm also accepts sports gambling addiction lawsuit cases involving those who were over 18 when they started gambling legally.
Contact us for a free case review to determine if you or your child is eligible to file a lawsuit.
What Gambling Disorder Actually Looks Like
Gambling disorder is formally classified in the DSM-5-TR as a behavioral addiction. It is the only non-substance addictive disorder recognized in the manual.
Gambling disorder involves recurrent and persistent problem gambling behaviors leading to clinically significant distress or impairment, as indicated by an individual exhibiting four or more of the following in a period of 12 months:
- Is often preoccupied with gambling or gambling-related content
- Has to gamble with more and more money to achieve a desired excitement
- Experiences repeated unsuccessful efforts to stop, cut back or control gambling
- Is irritable or restless when trying to stop or cut down gambling
- Often gambles while feeling distressed
- Often returns to gambling to try to “get back to even” after losing money while gambling
- Lies to therapists, family members or others to conceal how much they gamble
- Has committed illegal acts to finance gambling
- Has lost or jeopardized a significant career or educational opportunity, job or personal relationship due to gambling
- Relies on others to give them money to relieve poor financial stability caused by gambling
The severity ranges from mild (4-5 criteria met) to moderate (6-7 criteria met) to severe (8-9 criteria met).
Research published in PMC found that starting gambling before the age of 18 is associated with higher rates of problem gambling severity in adulthood.
The adolescent brain is still developing impulse control. This makes young users particularly vulnerable to addictive behavior patterns.
DraftKings VIP Concierge: How Platforms Keep High-Volume Users Hooked
DraftKings operates the Dynasty Rewards VIP program. This assigns dedicated account hosts and personalized concierge service to its highest-volume bettors.
The program’s highest tier is invite-only. It is reserved for users who demonstrate sustained high betting volume and frequency. It rewards compulsive behavior rather than flagging it.
FanDuel has faced similar scrutiny. A lawsuit alleges FanDuel assigned a VIP host to a known problem gambler and that the host contacted him up to 100 times per day, including on days he had not yet placed a bet.
When minors are identified as candidates for VIP programs, this indicates that platforms are aware of their account activity and choose to incentivize continued gambling instead of restricting access.
What Are the Harms Linked to Underage Internet Gambling?
Whether it’s casino games or sports betting, research suggests that gambling at a young age might carry long-term risks, with individuals who start gambling before age 18 being more likely to develop gambling-related problems when they are adults.
Research published in The Lancet found that 37 percent of young men aged 16-24 who attempted suicide in the past year showed scores indicative of problem gambling. The research found that only 3.6 percent of those who had not attempted suicide showed scored indicative of problem gambling.
The Child Mind Institute has found that adolescents are more vulnerable to distortions that are gambling-related, like the illusion of control as well as overestimating winning, because of their still-developing decision-making skills. The institute also notes that gambling disorder carries the highest risk of suicide of any substance use or addictive behavioral disorder.
Other documented harms include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Academic failure
- Financial debt
- Strained family relationships
- Other mental health impacts
The convergence of gambling and video games, especially via features like skin gambling and loot boxes, has raised concerns regarding the normalization of gambling behaviors in youth, possibly leading to mental health issues and addiction.
Legal Risks
In most states, individuals must be at least 18 or 21 years old in order to legally gamble, but enforcement of these age restrictions may be challenging because of ineffective online age verification systems.
Convictions for underage gambling may result in permanent criminal records that jeopardize college admissions as well as future employment opportunities.
Penalties for underage gambling may include fines up to $1,000, probation, mandatory driver’s license suspension, and as long as 6 months in jail for severe cases. A typical underage gambling fine can range from $500 to $1,000 for initial offenses.
Minors who use fake IDs for online betting can face additional charges which are related to fraud because of the aggressive targeting of offenses like these by regulators.
Adults who enable underage gambling might also face criminal charges and penalties.
What Compensation May Be Available in an Underaged Online Gambling Lawsuit?
The value of any claim depends on the severity of the diagnosis, the extent of documented losses and the platform’s specific conduct toward the user.
Cases involving severe psychiatric harm or suicide attempts may involve significantly more compensation.
Attorneys can help in civil litigation filed against gambling companies for reimbursement as well as punitive damages if reckless practices led to losses or addiction.
Compensation in gambling addiction lawsuits could cover financial losses, emotional distress, therapy and treatment costs, and long-term impacts on career opportunities and education.
Compensation in a successful underage gambling lawsuit may include compensation for:
- Documented gambling losses
- Medical and psychiatric treatment costs
- Therapy and ongoing mental healthcare
- Pain and suffering tied to diagnosed conditions
- Impact on education, career and future earnings
- Punitive damages where the platform’s conduct is found to be particularly reckless
FAQs
Does My Child Need a Formal Diagnosis to File an Underage Gambling Lawsuit?
Yes.
A clinical diagnosis of gambling disorder under the DSM-5-TR is required in every case.
An attorney can help connect you with qualified mental health professionals if your child has not yet been evaluated.
Can I Still File a Lawsuit If My Child Is Now Over 18?
Yes, you can still file a lawsuit even if your child is now over 18.
The statute of limitations varies by state. Contact our lawyers today to find out if you or your child qualifies to file a lawsuit.
Does DraftKings Use Arbitration to Block These Lawsuits?
DraftKings does not require arbitration for product liability claims of this type. This means cases can be filed directly in court.
An underage gambling attorney can advise you on the correct venue and filing strategy for your specific claim.
Can I Sue If My Child Gambled on a Platform Other Than FanDuel or DraftKings?
Yes.
FanDuel and DraftKings are the most prominent platforms facing litigation. However, other online gambling apps may also be liable if your child was allowed to access them while underage.
How Do I Help a Teenager with Gambling Addiction?
Helping a teenager with an addiction to gambling involves seeking professional help, setting strict financial boundaries and providing open communication without judgment.
Key strategies include using blocking software, recognizing signs like missing money, accessing counseling or support groups and educating them on the low odds of winning.
An attorney at our firm can help connect your child with quality professional help.
Contact Our Underage Gambling Attorneys Today
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if all of the following apply to you or your child:
- The person was under 18 when they started gambling on FanDuel, DraftKings or a comparable platform
- They have a formal clinical diagnosis of gambling disorder under the DSM-5-TR
- They sustained gambling losses of $50,000 or more
