At Schlesinger Law Offices, we take on corporations that use deceptive practices to exploit consumers. From Big Tobacco’s false advertising to online gambling’s predatory tactics, our firm fights for those who have been harmed by industries that prioritize profits over people.
The rise of mobile sports betting apps has created a new frontier for addiction, one where data-driven manipulation, relentless marketing, and easy access make it nearly impossible for vulnerable users to walk away.
The following story is fictional, but its details are painfully real. Across the country, people fall into this same trap every day, starting with small bets, then spiraling into financial ruin, addiction, and despair.
A Friend Said, “Just Download the App… It’ll Be Fun”
Mark gambled in college. His roommate was a bookie, and betting on sports was just something they did. It started as friendly fun, but before long, Mark had to quit cold turkey.
For years, Mark stayed away from gambling. No casinos. No fantasy football. No March Madness brackets. But then, a friend sent him a text:
“Hey, check out the BetKing app! You get a $150 in free bets just for signing up.”
Mark knew the risks but this felt different. It wasn’t a casino or a bookie, just a game on his phone. He told himself, “Just a few small bets and I’ll quit when the free $150 is gone. What harm could it do?”
That’s how Mark Sanders, a 42-year-old father of two, started gambling again. BetKing told him betting was “easy, fun, and risk-free.” The first bet was on his favorite football team, a simple $10 wager to win. When they pulled off a victory, it felt good.
“I should’ve cashed out right then,” Mark would later say.
He started betting every weekend, $10 here and $20 there, on the teams he followed closely. He knew a lot about football, and the BetKing options and incentives were making the games more exciting and he was winning. Not a fortune, but enough to think, What if I could make real money doing this?
His mind wandered to his family. They had always talked about taking a dream vacation to Hawaii, but money was tight. If he could just win a little more, he could pay for the trip without dipping into their savings. BetKing had so many opportunities that it seemed possible.
At first, he expanded beyond his favorite teams, wagering on games he typically wouldn’t watch. When that wasn’t enough, he started placing bets on more obscure outcomes like, who would win the opening coin toss, the number of penalties in a game, or how many beers would be sold at the stadium.
Then, late one night, scrolling through the app in the bathroom, he stumbled upon a Japanese women’s basketball league. He knew nothing about it but BetKing had a special promotion: First-time betters on international basketball get a $50 free bet! He bet an over under and won! He was convinced he’d unlocked a foolproof way to make easy money. So, he placed more bets on games being played halfway around the world, hoping for more easy wins. Instead, he accrued more hard losses.
Still, the vacation was coming up, and he had promised his family. There was no turning back. Instead of telling them he couldn’t afford the trip, he took out a small loan, just enough to cover the trip and give himself a little extra to bet with. He told himself he’d make it back in no time. He didn’t.
Mark started making bigger and riskier bets, hoping to make up his losses in one lucky play. Instead of breaking even, Mark kept sinking deeper. As his bets got larger, his emotions ran hotter and BetKing was right there to fuel the fire. He received offers, perfectly tailored to his interests based on data the app had collected. When he lost big, a notification would pop up, offering a limited-time deal: “5 free bets to get back in the game!” If he tried to take a break, his phone would buzz with a message from his “personal BetKing representative”: “Hi Mark, hope you’re doing well. I just deposited $250 in bonus bets into your account—good luck!”
In about year, Mark had drained his savings, maxed out his credit cards, and racked up more than $100,000 in losses.
Yet, he kept betting, because now, he wasn’t just playing for fun, he was playing to survive. With a gambling addiction clouding his judgment, he wasn’t able to make smart choices and BetKing kept on making offers he couldn’t refuse.
By the time reality hit, it was too late. Mark’s life was a mess. Depression took hold. Alcohol became an escape. He started missing work, avoiding friends and family, drowning in debt, and every time he thought about quitting, another “free bet” would appear, promising him a way out. At his lowest, he even considered suicide. Eventually, bankruptcy came knocking. Divorce followed soon after.
What started as a simple $10 bet had spiraled into total devastation—engineered by an industry that profits off addiction.
How Betting Apps Exacerbate Gambling Addiction
Online sportsbooks are engineered to keep users betting, using sophisticated psychological tactics that make quitting nearly impossible. Here’s how the apps can lead to gambling addiction:
- Frictionless Betting – Users can place bets with one click, without the traditional barriers of in-person betting.
- Personalized Triggers – Apps track behavior, sending tailored promotions and “free bets” at critical moments when gamblers are most vulnerable.
- The Illusion of Control – Many believe they can beat the system through more research and a better strategy, leading them to place increasingly risky bets.
- In-Game Micro-Betting – Bettors are encouraged to place multiple bets within a single game, keeping them engaged and making losses accumulate more quickly.
- Predatory Credit Extensions – Some platforms provide easy access to credit lines or allow users to deposit money instantly, deepening the financial risk.
- Withdrawal Barriers – Cashing out winnings is often more complicated than making deposits, with restrictions and delays that encourage users to keep playing rather than collect their funds.
- Social Integration – Features like leaderboards, streak rewards, and friend challenges normalize excessive gambling as part of an interactive social experience.
These tactics are not accidental, they are designed to create dependency and ensure that gamblers stay active on the platform for as long as possible, regardless of the consequences.
How Schlesinger Law Offices Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered financial devastation, mental health struggles, or addiction due to online sports betting, Schlesinger Law Offices is here to help. We have a long history of holding corporations accountable for deceptive practices, including major victories against Big Tobacco and JUUL. Now, we are taking a stand against online sportsbooks that prey on vulnerable consumers.
Our legal team is investigating cases involving:
- Deceptive advertising and misleading promotional offers.
- Apps using behavioral tracking to encourage compulsive gambling.
- Financial losses due to predatory credit practices.
- Psychological harm linked to gambling addiction.
If you’ve suffered significant losses, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today for a free case review, and let us secure the justice you deserve.
Read more about online gambling’s predatory practices.
