Former Jacksonville Jaguars employee, Jeffery Smith, who was convicted of stealing $22 million from the team, is now suing FanDuel, a popular sports betting company, claiming that they preyed on his gambling addiction.
Smith, who worked for the Jaguars as a financial adviser, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after it was discovered that he had been embezzling millions of dollars from the team over a period of several years. He used the stolen funds to support his lavish lifestyle and feed his gambling habit.
In his lawsuit against FanDuel, Smith alleges that the company knew about his gambling addiction and actively encouraged him to continue placing bets on their platform. He claims that they offered him special promotions and bonuses in order to keep him betting, despite knowing that it was only exacerbating his addiction.
According to court documents, Smith lost over $1 million on FanDuel over the course of his illegal activities. He also alleges that the company failed to properly monitor his account and detect signs of fraud or problem gambling.
FanDuel has denied the allegations, claiming that they have strict protocols in place to prevent fraudulent activity and to help customers with gambling problems. They have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that Smith’s actions were his own responsibility and that they are not liable for his criminal behavior.
Smith’s legal team argues that FanDuel should have done more to protect their client, especially given his known history of addiction. They are seeking damages for the losses incurred as a result of Smith’s gambling activities.
The case has drawn attention to the issue of responsible gambling and the role that companies like FanDuel play in enabling problem gamblers. It also raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of businesses in the gambling industry and their duty to protect vulnerable customers.
As the lawsuit continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Smith will be successful in his claim against FanDuel. In the meantime, the former Jaguars employee continues to serve his prison sentence, while the team works to recover from the financial damage caused by his actions.