A Florida attorney, Jennifer Hoekstra, has filed 15 lawsuits against two of the largest sports betting apps in the United States, FanDuel and DraftKings, alleging that they are designed to be addictive. Hoekstra, whose firm previously won a court case against Meta, claims that the legal theory is similar to the one used in a landmark social media case in California. She represents individuals who have lost their homes, spouses, and children due to gambling, stating that the apps use similar workflows and notifications to create addiction. The rise of online sports betting has seen significant financial activity. According to the American Gaming Association, the amount wagered on online sports gambling reached $167 billion last year. A study by UCLA found that in states that legalized online sports gambling, bankruptcies and credit card delinquencies increased by about 25%. Additionally, a survey by the National Council on Problem Gambling found that 8% of American adults, or nearly 20 million people, reported experiencing at least one indicator of problematic gambling behavior "many times" in the past year. Gaming companies dispute the claims that they are fueling addictive behavior. FanDuel, the largest online platform, stated that any claim that they do not aggressively monitor and curb problem behavior is false. The company reported investing $158 million on responsible gaming and removing 5,700 people from the platform last year due to gambling behavior. A former FanDuel employee, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said the company's goal is to slow down bettors rather than cut them off completely. He noted that some employees avoided looking at customers who might be betting too much. Sports betting apps use a variety of tactics to keep customers engaged, including VIP perks such as luxury suite access, autographed jerseys, and unique fan experiences. Esteban Ruiz-Haynes, a pest control salesman from Virginia, became a VIP member with FanDuel and received gifts such as signed helmets and jerseys. He bets between $80,000 and $120,000 annually, which is about the same as his annual income. Louis Ruggiero, a recovering gambling addict, said that after losing $100,000 on FanDuel in three months, he was offered VIP status by multiple gambling companies. He described the experience as "predatory retention disguised as hospitality." Data collection and push notifications are also used to keep bettors engaged. A former FanDuel employee described the company's data collection as among the best he had seen. If bettors took a break, the company would often use push notifications to try to get them gambling again. Hoekstra argues that these notifications and bonus alerts create a persistent ambient presence in a gambler's life, inviting reengagement during times of stress, boredom, or emotional vulnerability. Joe Maloney, president of the Sports Betting Alliance, said cases like Ruggiero's are outliers and that the majority of bettors gamble responsibly. He emphasized that online gambling companies provide tools such as deposit limits, wager limits, and loss limits to help bettors manage their gambling. FanDuel and DraftKings both have statements emphasizing their commitment to responsible gaming, with FanDuel investing $158 million in responsible gaming efforts and DraftKings having a Chief Responsible Gaming Officer who leads a team of more than 50 employees focused on responsible engagement.