A photo taken at a Massachusetts drugstore appears to show DraftKings gift cards displayed directly beneath a “Financial services” aisle sign, alongside reloadable debit cards.
I wasn’t surprised in the slightest when I saw the photo posted by gambling harms researcher Dr. Nathan Smith on LinkedIn. After nearly 20 years covering the industry as a journalist, almost nothing problematic about the way the online gambling industry works surprises me. That’s my opinion.
Smith declined to name the “national drugstore” chain (his words) near where he lives.
DraftKings Gift Card Retail Locations
Publicly available DraftKings materials list CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Dollar General, and Family Dollar among popular participating retail locations for cash deposits, and separately describe DraftKings gift cards as a deposit method. GamblingHarm.org could not determine whether the photo came from any of those chains.
I’m unaware of this “financial services” framing happening in other states, but if it’s in Massachusetts, it’s hard not to imagine it elsewhere. The state once fined DraftKings $450,000 for prohibited credit card deposits.
Still, it’s unclear whether the placement of the gift card under “financial services” signage was deliberate or a mistake. If it’s the latter, then perhaps this is an uncommon occurrence.
Regulatory Concerns
The DraftKings gift cards in a “financial services” section here raises regulatory red flags, but I’m not sure the placement would violate Massachusetts sports wagering regulations.
“Financial services” could be considered misleading or obscuring the gambling nature of the product. A regulator could ask whether putting a sportsbook deposit product under this signage normalizes or disguises it as a banking/prepaid-card product rather than gambling account funding.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this eventually comes up at a Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting.
What kind of harm can come from portraying online sports gambling as a financial service? It seems pretty straightforward.
Users can view sports betting as a way to earn money or even to become wealthy. A recent poll found that 85% of online sports bettors think they can win money. In reality, just 4% win money over the medium term. Polling also shows that 60% of online sports bettors chase losses.
DraftKings gift cards should never be placed under signage that implies a financial service of any kind.
DraftKings Gift Cards FAQ – Risks and How to Protect Yourself
Can you buy gift cards for DraftKings?
Yes. The gambling platform says its gift cards are pre-purchased cards that may be available for Sportsbook, Casino and Fantasy Sports, depending on jurisdiction. From a gambling-harm POV, buying gift cards is not recommended, because using DraftKings or any online sportsbook can be addictive and can harm your finances.
Can I use a gift card to deposit on DK?
Yes. DraftKings says its gift cards are used to deposit into an account, and users redeem them by selecting the gift card option on the deposit screen. From a harm-prevention perspective, that means the gift card is not just a normal retail gift card — it is a way to fund online gambling, which can lead to chasing losses, addiction and financial harm.
Where are DK gift cards sold?
DraftKings says its gift cards may be purchased at “select retail specialty stores,” but availability depends on state approval and local rules. GamblingHarm.org does not recommend using DraftKings or any online sportsbook, because these products are designed to keep users depositing and betting.
Can you buy a DraftKings gift card on Amazon?
The answer appears to be no. DraftKings’ own support materials say gift cards are sold at select retail specialty stores, but GamblingHarm.org could not find an official DraftKings support page naming Amazon as a confirmed seller. Either way, buying a DraftKings gift card to fund a sportsbook account is not recommended because online betting can be addictive and financially damaging.
Are DK gift cards sold online?
The platform distinguishes between DraftKings-branded gift cards and generic electronic gift cards; its support materials describe electronic gift cards as generic cards backed by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover, with restrictions depending on product type. Even when online or electronic funding methods are available, using DraftKings or any online sportsbook is not recommended from a gambling-harm perspective because easy deposits can increase the risk of repeat betting, loss-chasing and financial harm.
