Ex-NFL Employee Sues FanDuel for $250M, Claims Gambling Addiction Fueled by Company

A former financial manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Amit Patel, is making headlines by suing FanDuel for $250 million. Patel, who embezzled $22 million from the NFL team and is now serving a 6.5-year prison sentence, claims the betting giant exploited his gambling addiction.

In his lawsuit filed in federal court in New York, Patel alleges that FanDuel ignored its own responsible gambling rules and knowingly allowed him to gamble, despite being an NFL employee—a status that made it illegal for him to bet. He claims to have wagered $20 million on daily fantasy sports contests, much of which he says came from stolen funds.

FanDuel has not commented on the lawsuit, citing ongoing legal matters. Patel’s attorney, Matthew Litt, argues that while Patel acknowledges his role in his gambling problems, FanDuel should also bear responsibility for actively encouraging his addiction.

The lawsuit details how FanDuel allegedly provided Patel with over $1.1 million in gambling credits and constantly contacted him—sometimes up to 100 times a day—urging him to bet more. It also claims that the company showered him with perks like trips to major sports events, including the Super Bowl and the Masters.

Patel previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and agreed to repay the money he took from the Jaguars. His lawsuit echoes similar cases where compulsive gamblers have sued casinos and online betting companies, claiming these businesses prey on their addictions.

However, courts have often dismissed such claims, indicating a tough road ahead for Patel in his legal battle against FanDuel.