FanDuel Takes a Firm Stand Against Bettor Harassment of Athletes
Addressing Abuse from Frustrated Sports Bettors
Professional, amateur, and even student-athletes frequently face harassment from bettors upset by unfavorable outcomes. This abuse ranges from simple heckling to serious threats, affecting athletes across all levels.
FanDuel’s New Policy to Combat Harassment
Student-athletes, in particular, experience a significant portion of online harassment, with around 12% of all negative social media comments targeting this group. In response, FanDuel is implementing stricter measures to hold bettors accountable for abusive behavior online.
The company has announced that accounts will be suspended if users engage in harassment, including heckling or sending threatening messages to athletes. FanDuel is setting a zero-tolerance standard for any betting-related abuse aimed at sports participants.
Cory Fox, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Sustainability at FanDuel, shared insights on this initiative, highlighting how social media interactions between fans and athletes can be positive but sometimes lead to unacceptable harassment.
Under the new rules, FanDuel reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts if a user is found to threaten the safety of anyone involved in a sporting event, including officials, coaches, or players.
Major sporting events with high betting volumes, like March Madness, are under special scrutiny due to the higher instances of abuse during these occasions.
Industry-Wide Efforts to Combat Online Abuse
FanDuel’s stance is part of a broader movement among betting companies to tackle inappropriate behavior online. However, the anonymity provided by social media platforms poses challenges in identifying offenders and assessing threats accurately.
Despite these obstacles, other leading operators such as DraftKings, Fanatics, and BetMGM are also evaluating their user conduct policies to restrict those who issue threats while maintaining accounts.
Additionally, the American Gaming Association has launched the “Keep Your Cool” campaign, promoting respectful behavior among gamblers and discouraging online insults and harassment.
Meanwhile, the NCAA collaborates with law enforcement and technology firms to address and mitigate abuse towards athletes, recognizing and responding to this growing issue since early 2024.