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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. jimbo808 · · focus · HN ↗
      &gt; 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 · · focus · HN ↗
        Hope you&#x27;re including all the state governments and their lotteries in this assessment.
        1. DonaldPShimoda · · 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&#x27;s some distinction to be made between &quot;we actively exploit people to maximize our profits for our own sakes&quot; and &quot;we regulate the passive exploitation of people to supplement taxes in a regressive manner.&quot; Or something. I dunno, maybe somebody has more elaborate thoughts on this to share.)

          1. reducesuffering · · focus · HN ↗
            &quot;we regulate the passive exploitation of people to supplement taxes in a regressive manner.&quot;

            I was convinced by this for a full 30 seconds before I realized there are millions of advertisements for the state lotteries. They aren&#x27;t just regulating a market that will exist with or without the state, they are actively promoting and encouraging it

            1. bigfishrunning · · 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&#x27;re a bit more honest about how you&#x27;re getting screwed and they can tax the winnings.
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