Weitz & Luxenberg is teaming up with other law firms to file lawsuits against online sports gambling apps that are defrauding consumers. We are filing class action lawsuits against daily fantasy sports apps Draft Kings, PrizePicks, Thrillzz, Underdog, Betr, Dabble, and bet365. We are also filing suits against “prediction markets” Kalshi, Robinhood, and Polymarket, that allow users to predict the outcome of sports, which is gambling with another name. These are just examples of the California online gambling lawsuits we plan on filing to protect consumers.
“These companies rake in millions of dollars each year by making false claims to Californians. They brazenly promote their daily sports fantasy apps as a form of legal gambling in California. The truth is that their online gambling apps are 100% prohibited in California,” says James Bilsborrow, partner and practice group co-chair of W&L’s consumer protection team.
The California Attorney General released a report finding that daily fantasy sports apps are considered illegal gambling in California. (1) In recent years, two propositions to make this type of sports betting legal made the ballot. Both were voted down by Californians.
Fantasy Sports Apps Intentionally Misled Consumers
In our daily fantasy sports class action lawsuit against Thrillzz and bet365, Weitz & Luxenberg states these companies intentionally misled consumers interested in participating in legal gambling contests. They aggressively advertised their daily fantasy sports apps as legal in California. This is undeniably false. They made this claim not in small print, but in big, bold letters in multiple advertising campaigns.
These companies knew exactly what they were doing. They knew unlicensed gambling is illegal in California and these types of fantasy sports apps are gambling — no matter what an app calls it. That’s why they spent so much money promoting their apps as legal.
Draft Kings, PrizePicks, Thrillzz, Underdog, Betr, Dabble, and bet365, as well as Kalshi, Robinhood, and Polymarket — and others like them — breached their contracts with consumers by claiming that the fantasy sports and sports betting on their apps was legal. Those contracts were invalid from the start.
Online Sports Betting Is Big Business
Companies offering online sports betting bring in billions of dollars each year. It’s no wonder so many companies are looking to get in on the action.
And consumers are more than happy to look for fantasy sports gambling opportunities. According to the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA), roughly 59 million Americans 18 years of age and older participate in sports betting. And approximately 49 million Americans over 18 participate in fantasy sports. (2) (3)
For companies looking to make money, these big numbers mean big money.
Sports Betting Favorites
FSGA says that a big favorite of fantasy sports participants is football, and 79% play it. Other season-long favorites are: (4)
- NBA basketball — 32%.
- MLB baseball — 22%.
- NHL hockey — 12%.
- Soccer — 11%.
The sports that are bet on the most are: (5)
- NFL — 74%.
- NBA — 39%.
- MLB — 28%.
- NCAA football — 28%.
- NCAA basketball — 26%.
W&L Getting Justice for CA Victims of Online Gambling Fraud
At Weitz & Luxenberg, we understand that millions of people across the country enjoy online gambling, especially when it comes to sports. Companies are free to create online gambling sites, including daily fantasy sports apps.
However, these companies must adhere to state laws. And, in California, unlicensed sports betting is illegal and off limits.
We are no stranger to the wiles of gaming platforms or going up against companies looking to take advantage of people. Our consumer protection attorneys have long been on the lookout for irresponsible companies, such as Roblox online gambling that preys on unsuspecting consumers, especially children and teens.
W&L Holding Sports Gambling Apps Responsible
Weitz & Luxenberg is filing California online gambling lawsuits on behalf of potentially millions of Californians who lost hundreds or thousands of dollars on apps they thought were legal.
Our daily fantasy sports class action lawsuits specifically claim that these companies knew their California customers would not participate in these sports contests if they knew those contests were illegal.
If you or a loved one lost a lot of money using Draft Kings, PrizePicks, Thrillzz, Underdog, Betr, Dabble, and bet365 — as well as Kalshi, Robinhood, and Polymarket — you may be able to join our daily fantasy sports class action lawsuit. You may be entitled to compensation.
We are accepting clients who used one of these gambling options on a website or mobile app. You must have used it while physically in California any time since July 2022.
We encourage you to contact us now. For your convenience, you can reach us by calling (917) LAWYERS or filling out the form on this page. We offer a free initial consultation.
