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.)
    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.

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