Jags Employee Fired Over Stolen Funds Sues FanDuel Sportsbook

One of the NFL’s most significant betting scandals just took a groundbreaking turn.

Former Jaguars employee Amit Patel has filed a lawsuit against FanDuel, claiming they violated responsible gaming laws and preyed on his gambling addiction. The suit claims that he was badgered by offers for free bets, trips, and more that led to him stealing $22 million from the team. The lawsuit is asking for $250 million in punitive damages.

Patel is currently serving a 6.5-year prison sentence for stealing from his former employer.

Patel Blames FanDuel Host for Harassment

Patel had a VIP host at FanDuel named Brett Krause. The host’s job is to help cater to the needs of high-stakes bettors, but the lawsuit alleges Krause went far beyond that. Patel claims that the host contacted him up to 100 times per day. That included messages and calls whenever Patel would break from placing wagers, tempting him to continue.

That accusation is severe enough alone, but Patel also claims Krause contacted him using his personal phone. US law requires hosts to only contact customers through the platform to monitor for problem gambling or other violations. The allegation is that Krause did this to avoid detection from FanDuel, which could have led to Patel’s account being frozen. That is a violation of anti-money laundering protocols.

Krause’s Lawyers Call Patel a “Fraudster”

While FanDuel will not comment on any active legal actions, Kause’s lawyers have not minced works. 

"Amit Patel is a convicted fraudster, and it's no surprise his complaint is full of misrepresentations," attorney Theresa Trzaskoma told ESPN in a statement. "He lied about his life to Brett Krause, who at the time was a low-level FanDuel employee. Mr. Patel defrauded Mr. Krause, just as he did the Jaguars."

The allegations are well-founded, given that Patel has been convicted of stealing millions from the Jaguars. While most of that was spent with FanDuel, federal prosecutors also highlighted that Patel lived a life of luxury, suggesting gambling may not have been the sole reason for his crimes.

Case Could Have Massive Implications

There is no denying that Patel is a criminal, but his lawsuit will be taken very seriously. Responsible gaming protocols have come under fire over the last couple of years as gambling addictions continue to rise at a startling rate.

If Patel can prove FanDuel violated those policies as claimed, it could open the door for others to take similar action, leading to bookmakers making quick and significant updates to how they flag problem gambling. A recent study showed bookmakers have not followed responsible gaming protocols across the country, and Patel's lawsuit could prove it.