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DraftKings is using AI to behaviorally target chronic gamblers

570 points · 432 comments · paimapi

  1. tedivm · · 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:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.propublica.org&#x2F;article&#x2F;draftkings-sports-gambling-problem-vip-fanduel" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.propublica.org&#x2F;article&#x2F;draftkings-sports-gamblin...

    1. skippyboxedhero · · focus · HN ↗
      &quot;presenting signs&quot;...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 · · focus · HN ↗
        If there&#x27;s no way to distinguish, why was the author &quot;made a VIP&quot;? Or does that happen to every gambler
        1. voxic11 · · 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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