An imprisoned former Jacksonville Jaguars employee has filed a lawsuit against FanDuel, accusing the online gambling platform of “exploiting his gambling addiction and ruining his life”. Amit Patel, who is currently serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence for embezzling over $22 million from the football team, claims that FanDuel encouraged him to gamble away the stolen funds.
In court papers filed in Manhattan federal court, Patel blames FanDuel for the “complete devastation” of his personal, professional, and financial life. According to the lawsuit, FanDuel bombarded Patel with financial incentives, extravagant trips, event tickets, and gifts amounting to more than $1.1 million. The complaint highlights how FanDuel sponsored Patel’s attendance at prestigious events such as the Super Bowl, Formula One Grand Prix, and major golf tournaments, aiming to create the illusion that he was a successful gambler.
The lawsuit alleges that Patel lost around $20 million between late 2019 and early 2023 as his gambling addiction worsened due to FanDuel’s exploitation. Patel, who was aware that he was not supposed to gamble on football due to his job with the Jaguars and struggled with addiction, points out that FanDuel disregarded warning signs and facilitated his destructive behaviour.
Patel’s attorney, Matthew Litt, stated that the objective of the lawsuit is to hold all responsible parties accountable and to prevent FanDuel from enticing addicted gamblers in the future. The legal action specifically calls out a FanDuel VIP host, Brett Krause, who allegedly engaged in frequent communication with Patel to encourage his gambling activity, even bypassing the company’s compliance department.
However, Krause’s lawyer countered the allegations, portraying Patel as a fraudulent individual who deceived both FanDuel and the Jaguars. FanDuel has not issued a response to the accusations made in the lawsuit.
Despite living a lavish lifestyle funded by his criminal activities, Patel’s lawsuit emphasises the anguish caused by his gambling addiction. The legal document highlights the luxury items Patel acquired, including a condo, private jet travel, luxury cars, and various investments, which were not reported on his tax returns.
Following his termination by the Jaguars in 2023 and subsequent imprisonment for wire fraud, Patel has not engaged in any betting activities. His lawsuit seeks $250 million in damages, plus penalties and interest, citing emotional distress, negligence, conspiracy, and violation of trade practices.
The legal battle underscores the dangers of gambling addiction and the accountability of gambling platforms in exploiting vulnerable individuals. Patel’s case sheds light on the need for stricter regulations and ethical practices within the gambling industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.