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DraftKings is using AI to behaviorally target chronic gamblers

570 points · 432 comments · paimapi

  1. NichoPaolucci · · focus · HN ↗
    “Gambling company leans into its target demographic”

    I worked with a state lottery that did similar things. Their target demographic was the “every day players” that would compulsively buy at the gas station.

    I quit that job because it seems to be morally wrong.

    Betting apps are just this taken to the extreme, I feel for people with this addiction but it’s not going away anytime soon.

    1. Loughla · · focus · HN ↗
      I worked with a state lottery as well. They had very clear training for the retailers they worked with to identify and stop problem gambling. There was space reserved in ever ad and on every retailer counter for stop gambling assistance. The few meetings I attended all began with what they had done to reduce problem gambling.

      So I'm guessing this varies state by state.

      1. jcomp · · focus · HN ↗
        I worked with a heroin distributor as well. They had very clear training for the dealers they worked with to identify and stop problem heroin use. There was space reserved in every text and on every dealer’s coffee table for stop heroin assistance.

        Not equating your work for a lottery with dealing heroin, I’m just pointing out that to say you don’t want people addicted to heroin while still selling heroin isn’t sufficient, and I think the same applies to lotteries. If they acknowledge the problem stop even offering it as a product.

        1. skippyboxedhero · · focus · HN ↗
          The difference is that the regulator controls your licence to operate. So if you do something that fails to meet the guidelines they create for responsible gaming then they take away your licence.

          Acknowledging the problem doesn't make it go away: you must be a big war on drugs guy? right?

          1. jcomp · · focus · HN ↗
            Fair point, and I’ll concede that regulation is an attractive concept here. But in the gambling case specifically it seems that regulation has resulted in an explosion in gambling. The hotlines and responsible gaming stuff appears totally ineffectual and geared more towards the operators being able to say “we care and are doing something” when what they’re actually doing is using AI to prey on people. At least with drug decriminalization or legalization there are genuine attempts at harm reduction.
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