Two Pennsylvania residents have filed a lawsuit alleging that major sportsbook platforms and their partners contributed to severe gambling addiction through the design and promotion of in-game betting features. The case brings together claims against DraftKings, FanDuel, the NFL, and Genius Sports, along with several employees linked to VIP customer programs.

Filed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, the complaint outlines multiple legal claims, including negligence, design defect, failure to warn, unfair trade practices, and emotional distress. The plaintiffs, Christopher Sage and Terry Thompson, argue that the platforms created an environment that intensified gambling behavior over time.

Claims Focus on Platform Design and Microbetting Features

At the center of the lawsuit is the argument that sportsbook apps were intentionally structured to promote continuous betting.  The complaint describes the platforms as a “known addictive product” that has evolved into “a relentless, always-on addiction-amplifying machine through a personalized and lightning-fast sports gambling interface unlike anything previously sold to gambling customers.”

According to the filing, the rapid pace of live, in-game betting plays a key role in this design. Microbetting allows users to wager on events within a game as they unfold, with odds changing in real time. The complaint explains that bettors can engage in a “virtually limitless array of events” during a contest, removing traditional constraints tied to time and location.

It further states that users can place wagers “from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” which the plaintiffs claim contributed to escalating betting patterns. The structure of these wagers is also highlighted, with the complaint noting that “Each live-in-game prop bet is completed within a few minutes, or… seconds,” and describing such activity as “akin to gambling on slot machines.”

The lawsuit adds that the format creates a system with “no off-ramps or pauses in the action,” keeping users engaged in repeated betting cycles.

According to Sportico, the complaint also addresses the involvement of data suppliers and sports organizations. It alleges that real-time data provided by the NFL, distributed through Genius Sports, enables the microbetting functionality that underpins these wagers.

According to the filing, Genius Sports and the NFL “not only facilitate but encourage and profit from microbetting through their supply of officially-licensed real-time game and player data.” The NFL maintains an equity stake in Genius Sports, and the data relationship is described as central to enabling live betting markets.

Microbetting has become a significant segment of sportsbook activity. DraftKings and FanDuel have indicated that live betting accounts for roughly half of all wagers placed on their platforms, reflecting a shift toward faster, in-play betting options.

Plaintiffs Describe Escalation of Gambling Behavior

The lawsuit details the experiences of Sage and Thompson, both of whom had previous exposure to sports betting without major issues. Their behavior reportedly changed after transitioning to mobile sportsbook apps.

The filing states, “That all changed once they started using the FanDuel and DraftKings Sportsbook Apps,” adding that “Within just a few years of placing their first microbets on the Sportsbook Apps, Plaintiffs nearly lost everything.”

Sage’s case includes reported losses of approximately $175,000 after wagering more than $2 million. The complaint describes how he began placing bets continuously throughout the day, including during routine activities and work hours. Financial strain followed, including borrowing from family and external sources, as well as risks to personal assets.

Thompson’s experience is also outlined, with losses estimated at around $1.83 million. The complaint states that he received VIP treatment from sportsbook representatives, including gifts and event-related perks. Communication from these representatives is cited as part of the case, including a message that read, “[W]hat do we think about taking a timeout and enjoying the holidays with the family and starting fresh after the new year?”

The lawsuit further alleges that such VIP interactions encouraged continued betting despite signs of problematic behavior.

The case arrives as scrutiny of microbetting and certain wagering formats increases across several U.S. states. Legislative proposals have emerged targeting specific bet types, including restrictions on live betting and proposition wagers.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages, a jury trial, and measures that could limit how sportsbooks structure and promote betting products. The complaint also raises questions about the responsibilities of operators, data providers, and sports leagues in shaping user behavior.

The defendants are expected to respond by disputing the allegations and emphasizing that users make independent decisions when placing bets. They may also point to existing responsible gambling tools and safeguards offered within their platforms.

If the case proceeds to further stages, it could involve examination of internal communications and data practices related to how betting products are designed and marketed.