Like all gambling or betting, using platforms such as FanDuel, DraftKings and Bet365 can be highly addictive for many users. FanDuel addiction for many users is inevitable.
The addictive nature comes from the platform design and the gambling it facilitates.
According to betting addiction statistics, more than half of U.S. online sports bettors have chased losses, one of the core components of problem gambling.
As of mid-2025, FanDuel had about 12 million registered users and about 4.3 million monthly active online gamblers, according to a Q1 2025 shareholder letter.
Problem gamblers account for the majority of sports betting industry revenue, according to a recent study. The industry arguably relies on addiction as a business model.
FanDuel Addiction: Signs & Causes
It’s important to be aware of red flags and abstain from using betting platforms if you have ever experienced difficulty controlling your urges to gamble.
Sports betting on an app like FanDuel probably isn’t right for you.
Don’t be tricked by sports betting media or content creators who claim you should “monitor your behavior” to prevent a gambling problem.
If a sports betting app sounds addictive based on what you’ve heard or read, then it could end up being addictive for you.
Let’s examine the addiction risks associated with using FanDuel.
Ease of Access
FanDuel, accessible through computers and mobile apps, allows users to place bets or enter gambling contests at any time and from anywhere.
Having a casino or sportsbook in your pocket can encourage potentially destructive risk-taking.
Problem bettors often miss out on life experiences by constantly checking their mobile devices to place or monitor their bets. Compulsive checking is one problem sports betting characteristic.
Related: Why Is Problem Gambling Called The ‘Hidden Addiction’?
Instant Gratification
The quick turnaround of betting outcomes, especially in-game wagering, provides instant gratification, enticing users to play more frequently in search of wins.
Becoming hooked on the dopamine rush of sports betting can lead to chasing losses, a phenomenon that can be particularly detrimental.
FanDuel addiction worsens when you feel restless waiting for the result of your wager.
The Illusion of Skill on FanDuel
Because sports betting involves the choice of selecting which bets to make, it can lead individuals to believe that they can consistently predict outcomes and win.
An overestimation of the skill involved can potentially encourage problem gambling.
Related: Betting isn’t a skill-based activity
Promotions and Bonuses
FanDuel offers promotions, so-called bonuses, and other incentives to keep you gambling.
These flashy offers cause problems for many users.
Related: City of Baltimore Sues FanDuel Over ‘Misleading’ Promos
FanDuel Addiction Social Features
Sports betting done in isolation can be risky for many people. However, making gambling more social can also have significant consequences.
FanDuel’s social aspects, such as DFS gambling contests against people you know or in public leagues, can increase the app’s appeal.
The sportsbook also features so-called “trending” bets and games, a design intended to create a sense of fear of missing out (FOMO).
This dynamic can induce stress and anxiety in users who see that hundreds or thousands of other players are making a bet and that they could be missing an opportunity if they don’t gamble on it, too.
Betting sites like FanDuel also promote gambling products through social media ads disguised as cheeky posts.
FanDuel addiction risks can worsen for some users when gambling intertwined in traditional sports commentary.
Chasing Losses
As we alluded to, the desire to recover losses through further betting can lead to a vicious cycle where users bet increasingly larger amounts, a common sign of a sports betting addiction.
Betting apps like FanDuel send you push notifications if you haven’t gambled in a while.
Also, the more you lose, the more betting apps tend to contact you through email, text messages, or app notifications.
Why FanDuel’s Promo is a Bad Bet
FanDuel offers gamblers site credit upon initial sign-up. While it may appear like an enticing offer, it’s not consumer-friendly.
The sportsbook gives $150 worth of so-called “bonus bets” if you meet certain conditions.
First, you must provide the sportsbook with your personal information, including your social security number, email and physical address and phone number.
As with any app, your personal data could be vulnerable if the company suffers a data breach.
Also, you’re now in FanDuel’s system for life. You can expect to receive a flow of advertisements encouraging you to gamble for years. If you develop a gambling addiction, you will have to let your state government know that you need FanDuel to stop contacting you.
Second, you must enter your banking or other payment processing information. You must deposit at least $10 into FanDuel to continue in the process of claiming the so-called bonus.
Next, you must bet at least $5, and the bet must win. If you lose, you receive no site credit.
Following a successful first bet, FanDuel will issue the $150 in site credit within three days.
Sportsbooks make you wait in what appears to be a hope that you’re impulsive and deposit more money.
FanDuel Bonus Isn’t What It Seems
Contrary to popular belief, FanDuel doesn’t give “free money” to users.
The site credit isn’t actual money. You can use it to place bets, and any winnings derived from those bets will appear in your account.
Sportsbooks like FanDuel can provide the $150 in site credit because it’s likely you don’t win any money from wagers using the credit.
If you do, sportsbooks know that it’s also unlikely you will withdraw the profit before giving it back to the house.
This so-called welcome offer is a very inexpensive way sportsbooks get you to provide personal and banking information to start gambling. Don’t fall for the gimmick.
Conclusion: Is FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino Safe?
For many people, FanDuel is unsafe to use.
While numerous state governments sanction it, it can be a highly addictive platform and severely harm your life.
Some state lawmakers receive campaign contributions from lobbying groups associated with the gambling industry.
The money you deposit into FanDuel is protected in the sense that the sportsbook must have the funds to fully cover customer deposits. So, if FanDuel somehow went out of business, you could retrieve your account balance.
That’s where the safety of FanDuel ends.
The platform is designed for you to lose money in the long run. If you win money in the short term, the platform discourages you from withdrawing your funds into your bank account or other payment processor.
If you bet on niche markets and win more often than you lose, FanDuel could limit you.
Also, keep in mind that sports betting can be harmful to marriages and heart health.
How to Get Help for FanDuel Gambling Addiction
Fighting a FanDuel addiction could be a lifelong process. Recovery isn’t easy, but you can succeed in quitting gambling and rebuilding your life.
Follow these steps if you have a FanDuel addiction:
- Self-exclude via FanDuel’s responsible gaming tools
- Call 1‑800‑GAMBLER for confidential support
- Share your struggles with people close to you
- Seek professional treatment through therapy and counseling
- Attend local support groups like Gamblers Anonymous meetings
- Self-exclude from all gambling in your state (if available)
- Look for healthy ways to fill the void after gambling
Help is available for anyone struggling with problem sports gambling.
Photo by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket
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