Ex NFL^® Employee Sues FanDuel^® for $250M — Here's Why

Amit Patel, a former Jacksonville Jaguars^® financial manager, claims FanDuel^® turned his gambling addiction into a goldmine. The disgraced ex NFL^® employee, who stole more than $22 million from the team, filed a $250 million lawsuit against the sportsbook, accusing it of ignoring responsible gambling protocols and enabling his descent into compulsive betting.

Addiction Spirals Out of Control

Patel, now serving 6.5 years in a South Carolina federal prison, says FanDuel's tactics went far beyond aggressive marketing. The lawsuit, filed in New York's Southern District, alleges the company incentivized his daily fantasy sports betting with luxury trips, more than $1.1 million in gambling credits, and relentless calls from a personal host. According to ESPN, Patel's attorney Matthew Litt wrote that FanDuel "actively and intentionally targeted and preyed on Plaintiff with incentives, credits, and gifts to create, nurture, expedite, and/or exacerbate his addiction with the only possible outcome that he would ultimately hit rock bottom."

Lavish Gifts, Relentless Calls, and AML Violations

The court filing claims Patel transferred approximately $20 million to FanDuel over three years, despite being ineligible to gamble due to his NFL employment. Yet, according to the lawsuit, the sportsbook ignored red flags, including anti-money laundering (AML) violations.

"Defendants knew, through Krause, that the Plaintiff worked for a National Football League team and was not permitted to gamble on the National Football League," the suit states, according to ESPN, referencing Patel's FanDuel host, Brett Krause. The lawsuit alleges Krause contacted Patel up to 100 times a day, pushed him to place bets even when he hadn't, and moved incriminating text conversations to his personal phone to avoid detection.

FanDuel declined to comment, citing its policy on pending litigation, but Krause's attorney, Theresa Trzaskoma, described Patel as a manipulative liar. "Amit Patel is a convicted fraudster and it's no surprise his complaint is full of misrepresentations," she said, according to ESPN. "He lied about his life to Brett Krause, who at the time was a low-level FanDuel employee. Mr. Patel defrauded Mr. Krause, just as he did the Jaguars."

Fraud Funded a 'Life of Luxury'

Patel's gambling addiction didn't just drain millions; it came at a personal cost. According to CBS News, Patel's lavish spending included private jets, a Tesla^®, a $95,000 Patek Philippe^® watch, and even spa treatments, all while he lived a life of luxury at the Jaguars' expense. The team has since filed its own lawsuit against Patel, seeking $66.6 million in damages. ESPN reported that the Jaguars even asked FanDuel to repay the stolen funds, though it remains unclear if the sportsbook responded.

Where Does Responsibility Begin — and End?

Patel's lawsuit highlights a broader debate: Where does personal responsibility end, and corporate accountability begin? Litt acknowledged that Patel doesn't claim innocence but argues FanDuel bears significant blame for his downfall. "The goal of the suit is a fair apportionment of responsibility among all responsible parties," Litt told ESPN. "The suit certainly does not contend that Amit is blameless. But right now, Amit is facing 100% of the consequences for what happened while FanDuel is facing none."

A Legal Fight With Long Odds

Patel's case resembles other dismissed lawsuits involving compulsive gamblers seeking damages from casinos or sportsbooks. In 2008, a federal judge rejected a suit claiming casinos had a duty to stop an addicted gambler. More recently, in February 2024, Litt filed a similar case against Atlantic City casinos, which was also thrown out.

The question remains whether Patel's legal fight will spark changes in the gambling industry or end up dismissed like its predecessors. Either way, it shines a harsh light on the predatory practices of gambling companies and the blurred lines between addiction and exploitation.

References: Ex-Jaguars employee who stole from team sues FanDuel for $250 million for "exploiting" his gambling addiction | Ex-Jaguars employee Amit Patel sues FanDuel for $250 million