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FanDuel Prepared to Ban Bettors Who Abuse Athletes

FanDuel has emerged as the initial significant betting company to oppose the online mistreatment of athletes. The major sports betting company has cautioned its users that they might face a ban from the platform for targeting sports celebrities with harassment. 

The action follows a report by the Women’s Tennis Association and International Tennis Federation (ITF) that revealed extensive abuse aimed particularly at female players, largely from frustrated gamblers. 

Utilizing an AI-driven detection system created by the Signify Group, the report found over 8,000 abusive posts from 4,200 accounts in 2023. Approximately 40% of this abuse originated from gamblers, increasing to 77% when it pertained to direct messages sent to players’ personal accounts, as the study indicates. 

Authorization to End 

FanDuel, the WTA's official betting partner, modified its terms and conditions last week to allow itself to suspend or terminate customer accounts due to abusive conduct. The sportsbook emphasized the new clause in an email dispatched to users on June 24.

"We may, in our sole discretion, suspend or terminate your Account and/or exclude you from our services if we determine that you pose a threat to the safety of participants in a sporting event, or discover that you engaged in the harassment of a sports official, coach or any participant in a sporting event.”

Last week, British women's tennis second-ranked player Katie Boulter informed the BBC that she received death threats from unhappy gamblers. 

At the French Open, Boulter reported that a social media user commented: “Wishing you get cancer.” One person suggested she purchase “candles and a coffin for your whole family” and warned that they would harm her grandmother’s grave if she is “not deceased by tomorrow.” 

Industry Open to Feedback 

The Guardian states that the WTA and ITF are discussing with the gambling sector to emulate FanDuel’s approach, and several operators have reacted favorably to the concept. 

“The report has brought about a constructive conversation with the betting industry,” a spokesperson for the WTA and ITF told The Guardian. “We will continue to push for the industry to do more as part of a collective effort to rid tennis of betting-related abuse. We hope the gambling industry responds constructively to our call for more action on their part.”

Tournament organizers have initiated measures to address the abuse, notifying authorities about some of the worst offenders and prohibiting them from purchasing tickets to Grand Slam, WTA, and ATP events. 

However, tennis authorities are seeking that gambling firms assume more responsibility, which includes assisting in financing educational initiatives regarding online hate and sportsmanship.