ProPublica

ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson lost $10,000 placing bets that mimicked the behaviour of a problem gambler, to test DraftKings' 'responsible gaming' safeguards. Within a week of heavy losses he was invited into the company's VIP program and encountered little pushback as his betting spiralled, findings that are drawing criticism of how sportsbooks handle at-risk customers.

A ProPublica investigation reports that a reporter who intentionally bet like a problem gambler was rewarded by DraftKings with VIP status, despite the company's public emphasis on 'responsible gaming' tools. The report argues that incentives and product design pushed continued betting, outweighing safety prompts, amid growing public health concerns over online sports gambling in the United States.

A ProPublica report claims an FBI anti-corruption investigation into campaign donations linked to Senator Susan Collins and defense contractor Navatek was curtailed after Trump took office. The story alleges investigators were examining contributions tied to the company before the probe stalled. Hacker News commenters are discussing the reporting, sharing the article and debating what it says about the FBI, political interference, and campaign finance enforcement. The full details and the article's sourcing are not fully clear from the post snippets alone.

A ProPublica investigation reports that a reporter who deliberately gambled like someone with a serious gambling problem was nonetheless courted by DraftKings, which granted them VIP status and incentives to keep betting. The findings fuel criticism that major US sports betting companies prioritize high-loss customers over responsible gambling safeguards, reviving debate about regulation of the fast-growing online sportsbook industry.