A former employee of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Amit Patel, who is currently serving a prison sentence for embezzling over $22 million from the NFL franchise, has filed a lawsuit against a sports betting company, FanDuel, alleging that they exploited his gambling addiction.
Patel, 31, was convicted earlier this year for stealing millions from the Jaguars through the team's virtual credit card program between 2019 and 2023. Prosecutors revealed that Patel used the stolen funds to finance a luxurious lifestyle, which included buying properties and chartering private jets, with a significant portion of the money being spent on online sports betting.
During his sentencing, Patel confessed to struggling with a gambling addiction. His lawsuit against FanDuel seeks $250 million in damages, claiming that the company disregarded its responsible gambling and anti-money laundering policies and was aware of Patel's employment status with the NFL and the illegitimate source of the funds.
According to the complaint, Patel transferred $20 million to his FanDuel account and received over $1.1 million in credits, along with invitations to major sporting events. The lawsuit alleges that FanDuel actively targeted Patel with incentives, credits, and gifts to fuel and worsen his addiction, leading to severe consequences.
Despite being terminated by the Jaguars in early 2023, Patel allegedly continued to spend the stolen money post his dismissal. In December, he pleaded guilty to felony wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions. FanDuel has not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.
