Posted on: June 26, 2026, 10:19h.
Last updated on: June 26, 2026, 10:19h.
- An individual from Illinois is pursuing legal action against DraftKings, claiming that the sportsbook exacerbated his gambling addiction by offering VIP incentives.
- The lawsuit asserts that the plaintiff lost his wedding savings, wagered over $2 million, incurred substantial debt, and ultimately lost his job.
- The legal complaint charges DraftKings with not fulfilling its responsible gaming duties.
A 32-year-old man from Illinois claims that he depleted his wedding savings and fell into debt due to an addiction to sports betting, contending that DraftKings shares responsibility for his financial collapse.
In a federal lawsuit filed recently in the Northern District Court of Illinois, plaintiff Dane Miller argues that DraftKings exploited his online sports betting dependency by inundating him with promotions, enticing parlays, personalized offerings, complimentary sporting event tickets, and a dedicated VIP manager to encourage continued betting.
Miller asserts that he registered with the DraftKings sportsbook in October 2020, at the age of 26. Although he began with modest bets, his activity soon escalated dramatically in both volume and amount wagered.
By May 2021, DraftKings had recognized him as a VIP, offering perks like profit enhancements, free bets, deposit matches, and access to the DraftKings suite at Soldier Field, Chicago.
Groom Targeted by DraftKings
Miller’s lawsuit claims that DraftKings was aware, or should have been, of his sports betting addiction and should have taken more proactive measures to help him manage his wagering habits.
Miller relays that his addiction caused him to squander the money he had allocated for his wedding. The situation worsened, leading him to take out personal loans, rely on credit cards, and even withdraw from his 401(k) to keep funding his DraftKings account.
As his gambling obsession intensified, Miller claims his employer recognized it as an issue and subsequently terminated his employment. By this point, he had wagered over $2 million on DraftKings.
On October 16, 2024, Miller states that DraftKings sent him five $200 sportsbook vouchers. Less than two weeks later, he wrote a note indicating suicidal thoughts.
With support from family and friends, Miller was hospitalized at Northwest Community Hospital due to suicidal ideation. He was diagnosed with severe gambling disorder, anxiety, and depression, and remained hospitalized for over a week before his discharge on November 5.
Shortly afterward, he reinstalled the DraftKings app on his phone and relapsed. Once more, family intervention led him to complete an intensive outpatient treatment program in December, and he self-excluded from sports betting in Illinois on December 21, 2024.
Miller now reports a turnaround in his life, having married and welcomed a child. However, he claims that the financial and emotional repercussions of his gambling remains significant.
Seeking Justice
Miller’s lawsuit requests the federal court acknowledge that DraftKings did not fulfill its state-mandated responsibilities to promote responsible gaming. While recognizing that DraftKings offers tools for responsible gaming, such as self-imposed deposit limits, betting, and time restrictions, Miller argues that the sportsbook minimizes the potential dangers of developing a gambling addiction.
DraftKings’ responsible gaming page on its website and mobile application features a tagline, ‘It’s more fun, when it’s for fun.’ It contains links addressing Sports Betting 101, How to Play Casino Games, and Guidance for Horse Racing,” the lawsuit outlines.
Miller is pursuing compensatory damages for medical expenses, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, and diminished earning potential. The lawsuit also seeks restitution and reasonable legal fees for the plaintiff.
As of now, DraftKings has not responded to the filed complaint, according to court records.