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. jimbo808 · 1790701282 · focus · HN ↗
  > this company is full of people with absolutely no ethics whatsoever
  I believe this applies to any company which sells an inherently harmful, predatory, and addictive product or service
  1. SoftTalker · 1790702655 · focus · HN ↗
    Hope you're including all the state governments and their lotteries in this assessment.
    DonaldPShimoda · 1790702833 · focus · HN ↗
    At least those often fund things like state education so, over time, the pool of victims is maybe lessened by the success of the program? Maybe?
    (I am not defending state lotteries, but I do think there's some distinction to be made between "we actively exploit people to maximize our profits for our own sakes" and "we regulate the passive exploitation of people to supplement taxes in a regressive manner." Or something. I dunno, maybe somebody has more elaborate thoughts on this to share.)
    DANmode · 1790703295 · focus · HN ↗
    > At least those often fund things like state education so, over time, the pool of victims is maybe lessened by the success of the program? Maybe?
    You have some numbers to check.
    (“Elaborate thoughts” aren’t needed here - are more people spending less on the lottery? where does each state spend the money?)
    scottLobster · 1790703622 · focus · HN ↗
    See nature preserves that are funded by regulated big game hunting of the preserved nature.
    It's a fun moral question. At what point do you give up trying to make someone/a population healthier and say "well if you're going to be this way, we might as well get some use out of you"?
    gosub100 · 1790704774 · focus · HN ↗
    And the legal option makes it less likely that organized crime will jump in to offer the service.
    (To me, it seems) The same people who screamed to legalize weed a few years ago are vehemently against alcohol and gambling.
    cwnyth · 1790703969 · focus · HN ↗
    In many places where gambling is banned, there is still gambling. And in places where it's legalized, it can (in theory) be effectively regulated (if there's political will, which is difficult to muster sometimes). And say what you will about lotteries, but it's far easier to blow your life savings at casinos and with sports betting than buying a bunch of lottery tickets.
    Forgeties79 · 1790704743 · focus · HN ↗
    Sports betting apps are so “gamified” now that many people don’t stand a chance. They’ve made a bleeding edge addiction platform
    shipman05 · 1790705222 · focus · HN ↗
    Permit lotteries. Ban lottery advertising. A moral government shouldn't advertise products known to be harmful to the public.
    someonebaggy · 1790706295 · focus · HN ↗
    Can we just ban all advertising except for word of mouth (but including fake word of mouth)?
    segsgsgseg · 1790712271 · focus · HN ↗
    yes you can enjoy the free speech you want and other people can't tell us more great one
    edoceo · 1790713250 · focus · HN ↗
    Individual humans get free speech, not corporations.
    someonebaggy · 1790756409 · focus · HN ↗
    I get to yell "fire" in a crowded theater?
    edoceo · 1790713136 · focus · HN ↗
    I'd be happy to stop billboards, other large public displays and those shitty coro-plast ones that jerks put next to the slip road telling me they pay cash for houses or have some magical mosquito treatment. Start there and work our way up?
    reducesuffering · 1790705027 · focus · HN ↗
    "we regulate the passive exploitation of people to supplement taxes in a regressive manner."
    I was convinced by this for a full 30 seconds before I realized there are millions of advertisements for the state lotteries. They aren't just regulating a market that will exist with or without the state, they are actively promoting and encouraging it
    bigfishrunning · 1790711803 · focus · HN ↗
    Can only speak for Pennsylvania, where I live, but before the lottery there were numbers games run by organized crime. At least with a state-run lottery they're a bit more honest about how you're getting screwed and they can tax the winnings.

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