OPINION: FanDuel’s “My Spend” Will Do More Harm Than Good

• FanDuel introduced a new feature called “My Spend” which brandishes user’s wins/losses on the dashboard over a set period of time.
• While the “in-your-face” approach seems positive, problem gamblers can now quantify how much they need to make back in order to feel comfortable again.

NEW YORK – FanDuel’s much-touted “My Spend” tool promises transparency, claiming to help users track their deposits, wagers, and withdrawals. At first glance, it might seem like a meaningful step toward responsible gaming.

But is it really a solution – or just another gimmick to shift responsibility from the sportsbook to the user? This feature may do more harm than good, and even worse, could be designed to keep users betting rather than help them stop.

FanDuel markets the tool as a way to give users clarity about their betting habits. The feature tracks:

• Total deposits, withdrawals, and net losses.
• Betting activity over specific time periods.
• Trends in spending behavior.

This transparency, FanDuel suggests, will empower bettors to stay within their limits. But for many, simply knowing how much you’ve lost doesn’t stop the cycle of gambling—it just quantifies the problem.

Does “My Spend” Really Help Problem Gamblers?

While it’s wrapped in the language of accountability, the “My Spend” tool is more likely a Band-Aid on the gaping wound of gambling addiction. Problem gamblers already know they’re losing money. This feature doesn’t offer a lifeline; it offers cold, hard numbers that could deepen the spiral.

Normalization of Heavy Losses

Displaying losses in a tidy dashboard might normalize unhealthy behavior. A user seeing $5,000 in losses over six months could rationalize it as par for the course, especially if the platform doesn’t flag it as problematic. By presenting devastating losses without context or intervention, FanDuel risks desensitizing its users.

Encouraging a “Chase the Losses” Mentality

For problem gamblers, seeing exact figures of net losses can trigger a dangerous urge to “make it back.” Rather than acting as a deterrent, these stats could fuel legal sports betting in a more reckless manner. Worse, FanDuel offers no warnings or suggestions to stop betting when patterns of addiction are detected.

Passive Over Proactive

The tool is entirely reactive. It doesn’t stop someone from blowing their paycheck on parlays. It doesn’t intervene when real money sportsbook deposits skyrocket. And it doesn’t alert gamblers when their activity matches classic signs of addiction. In fact, it lets users continue unabated.

How “My Spend” Compares to Industry Standards

FanDuel’s tool isn’t the first legal US sportsbook attempt at promoting responsible gaming. Competitors like DraftKings and BetMGM also offer tracking tools and spending limits.

For casual bettors, the My Spend tool offers a clear way to track spending and avoid going over budget. Transparency in gambling transactions is often lacking, and this tool addresses that by putting all the relevant information in one place.

But for “My Spend” to be truly impactful, FanDuel could implement additional measures, such as using AI to flag excessive gambling patterns and send notifications encouraging users to take breaks.

Also, there should also be direct links to hotlines and resources for gambling addiction could make the tool more proactive.

The “My Spend” tool is a commendable effort by FanDuel to address the growing concerns surrounding problem gambling. However, as the industry continues to expand, tools like “My Spend” must evolve beyond simply providing data.

True responsible gambling tools need to actively protect users, not just inform them.

Until then, bettors should seek additional support if problem gambling begins to feel less like a game and more like a problem.

News tags: BetMGM | DraftKings | FanDuel | My Spend