Illinois Groom Gambled Away Wedding Fund. Now He’s Suing DraftKings
Posted on: June 26, 2026, 10:19h.
Last updated on: June 26, 2026, 11:09h.
- An Illinois man is suing DraftKings, alleging the sportsbook fueled his gambling addiction with VIP perks
- The lawsuit claims the plaintiff lost his wedding fund, bet more than $2 million, fell into debt, and lost his job
- The complaint accuses DraftKings of failing to meet its responsible gaming obligations
A 32-year-old Illinois groom who says he gambled away his wedding fund and spiraled into debt due to his sports betting addiction claims DraftKings is partly to blame for his financial downfall.
In a federal complaint filed this week in Illinois’ Northern District Court, plaintiff Dane Miller alleges that DraftKings preyed on his online sports betting addiction by showering him with promotions, incentive parlays, personalized product offerings, free tickets to sporting events, and a dedicated VIP host who ensured he kept betting.
Miller claims he signed up with the DraftKings online sportsbook in October 2020, when he was 26 years old. Despite initially betting small wagers and straight bets, Miller’s activity quickly escalated, both in terms of volume and stakes.
By May 2021, DraftKings had “crowned” him as a VIP, providing him with various perks, including profit boosts, free bets, deposit matches, and tickets to the DraftKings suite at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Groom Groomed by DraftKings
The complaint alleges that DraftKings knew, or should have known, that Miller was addicted to sports betting and should have done more to offer him ways to keep his wagering in check.
Miller reports that his addiction led him to gamble away the money he had saved for his wedding. The financial tragedy didn’t end there, as Miller says he took out personal loans, used credit cards, and withdrew from his 401(k) to continue funding his DraftKings account.
His sports betting addiction got so bad that Miller says his employer determined it “was a problem” and terminated his position. By this time, Miller says he bet more than $2 million on DraftKings.
On Oct. 16, 2024, Miller says DraftKings sent him five $200 sportsbook vouchers. Less than two weeks later, Miller wrote a suicide note.
With the help of his family and friends, Miller was admitted to Northwest Community Hospital with suicidal ideation. He was diagnosed with severe gambling disorder, anxiety, and depression, and stayed in the hospital for over a week before being discharged on Nov. 5.
Days later, he redownloaded the DraftKings app to his phone and relapsed. His family again intervened, and Miller completed an intensive outpatient treatment program in December, and self-excluded from sports betting in Illinois on Dec. 21, 2024.
Miller reports that he’s since turned around his life, marrying and becoming a father. But the financial damages are long-lasting, as is the emotional turmoil, he alleges.
Relief Sought
Miller’s complaint asks the federal court to recognize that DraftKings failed in its state-mandated regulatory obligations to promote responsible gaming.
While the complaint acknowledges that DraftKings offers responsible gaming tools, such as self-imposed deposit, betting, and time limits, Miller believes the sportsbook “downplays the risks” of consumers developing a gambling addiction.
DraftKings’ responsible gaming page on its website and mobile application welcome users with the tagline, ‘It’s more fun, when it’s for fun.’ It includes links with pages for Sports Betting 101, How to Play Casino Games, and How to Play Horse Racing,” the lawsuit details.
Miller is seeking compensatory damages for his medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, anxiety, and discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, lost earnings, and loss of earning capacity. The lawsuit additionally seeks plaintiff restitution and reasonable legal fees.
DraftKings has not yet responded to the complaint, court records show.
No comments yet