The Guardian has accessed documents that reveal how FanDuel lobbied strongly against the introduction of stricter gambling advertising rules in New York. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Pressure against the rules
the guardian Gain access to documents showing how far a major US gambling company has gone in the fight against New York’s tougher advertising laws.
FanDuel has lobbied state lawmakers to reconsider a ban on displaying sports betting ads near college campuses. The operator also opposed plans to ban operators from using certain phrases and words in their marketing materials.
Both rules went into effect in October
Despite the best efforts of the Flutter Entertainment-owned company, both rules went into effect in October. the guardian I filed a Freedom of Information request to access the unredacted documents.
Specific objections
One of the new rules restricts operators from using certain keywords that may attract problem gamblers to their platforms. The New York State Gaming Commission explained that a phrase like “problem gambling help” on a sports betting site may cause it to appear in search results when an addict tries to seek support. FanDuel argued that this rule is:
Highly subjective and impractical to implement.
The operator also claimed that the New York regulator used “vague” language when setting rules regarding advertising near college campuses. Another sticking point was the proposal to hold operators accountable when companies marketing their offerings make “false, deceptive or misleading” statements. FanDuel believes that only affiliates should bear the consequences.
Great works
Some gambling advocates have questioned officials in opposition to stricter rules.
Speaking to The Guardian, lobbyist Brianne Doura-Scchawohl highlighted the hypocrisy of operators who claim to make responsible gambling a priority. She believes they present positive sentiment on the topic when they try to legalize sports betting and then try to influence regulations aimed at adding additional consumer protections.
The New York market is a lucrative market for companies like FanDuel. Sports betting in the state last month totaled $2.1 billion, a new single-month record for a US state. Operators rely heavily on marketing to attract new customers in a competitive market.
