Thread

DraftKings is using AI to behaviorally target chronic gamblers

570 points · 432 comments · paimapi

tedivm · 1790700196 · focus · HN ↗
ProPublica had one of their reports work with gambling addition experts to see how DraftKings would respond to someone presenting signs of a gambling problem. It's a hell of a read, and makes it clear that this company is full of people with absolutely no ethics whatsoever.
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/draftkings-sports-gambling-problem-vip-fanduel" rel="nofollow">https://www.propublica.org/article/draftkings-sports-gamblin...
1. skippyboxedhero · 1790702499 · focus · HN ↗
  "presenting signs"...there is no way for DK to tell that someone is addicted, which is the same error of logic in the original article.
  There are multiple companies that will take your money and data and say they have found a way of identifying gamblers, afaik none of these products actually or can work.
  What that article showed is: someone uses a product, they do not activate any features to use the product safely, and then they it is unsafe. DK have safety features integrated with governments already in the product.
  1. axus · 1790702593 · focus · HN ↗
    If there's no way to distinguish, why was the author "made a VIP"? Or does that happen to every gambler
    skippyboxedhero · 1790703002 · focus · HN ↗
    Again, the same mistake.
    Yes, it happens to every gambler who spends a lot of money. That is how VIP tiers are defined, based on how much you spend. There is no way for them (or anyone) to understand the customer's state of mind. Should it be illegal for retailers to offer customers discounts? Compulsive shopping is significantly more common than gambling addiction, do retailers target those customers?
    If you never want to gamble, you tell the state regulator you never want to gamble and you will be unable to use any site.
    DharmaPolice · 1790711061 · focus · HN ↗
    >There is no way for them (or anyone) to understand the customer's state of mind.
    Maybe not their state of mind but if you have access to people's betting history you can very likely identify people who are "problem gamblers", especially if you also ask them their annual income when they become a customer (I have no idea whether they do this in the US, but they do on UK sites and will suspend your account if your betting exceeds certain thresholds).
    You certainly wouldn't even AI to spot people who are chasing their losses for example.
    As to whether they should be obliged to care, I'm not sure. But through public policy you can make it their problem.
    voxic11 · 1790706150 · focus · HN ↗
    You get made a VIP if you lose a lot of money, not if you have a gambling problem. In fact being made a VIP is basically the only way that the company can identify problem gamblers besides self-reports (because its the only time people from the company actually talk directly to the user).

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