Lobbying against rules

The Guardian has gained access to documents that showcase the lengths that a major US gambling operator went to battle against stricter advertising laws in New York.

FanDuel lobbied lawmakers in the state to reconsider a ban on showcasing sports betting ads close to college campuses. The operator also opposed plans for a prohibition on operators using certain phrases and words in their marketing materials.

both of the rules came into effect in October

Despite the best efforts of the Flutter Entertainment-owned company, both of the rules came into effect in October. The Guardian submitted a freedom of information request to access unredacted documents.

Specific objections

One of the new rules restricts operators from using certain keywords that might attract problem gamblers to their platforms. The New York State Gaming Commission explained that a phrase such as “problem gambling help” on a sportsbook website could lead it to appear in search results when an addict is trying to seek support. FanDuel argued that this rule is:

extremely subjective and impractical to enforce.”

The operator also claimed that the New York regulator used “vague” language when outlining the rules about advertising near college campuses. Another point of contention was the proposal to hold operators accountable when firms marketing their offerings make “false, deceptive, or misleading” statements. FanDuel believes that only the affiliates should have to pay the consequences.

Big business

Some responsible gambling advocates questioned the opposition to the stricter rules.

Talking with The Guardian, lobbyist Brianne Doura-Schawohl highlighted the hypocrisy of operators who claim they make responsible gambling a priority. She believes that they provide positive sentiment about the topic when trying to get sports betting legalized and then try to influence regulations that aim to add additional consumer protections.