Clients Avoid Charges in Fantasy Sports Controversy
Key Facts
- Multiple regulatory investigations, including those led by the DOJ and AG
- Complex federal and multistate investigations
- Due to our multifaceted, aggressive defense strategy, clients avoided all potential charges
The Situation
The integrity of the fantasy sports industry was threatened by media claims that a leading fantasy sports company employee profited from certain information not generally available to the public. Issues in this widely covered DraftKings / FanDuel federal and multistate regulatory controversy included whether fantasy sports constituted illegal gambling under federal and / or state law, the alleged misuse of “insider information,” and the alleged use of unfair or deceptive practices to recruit users. The Mintz team represented key fantasy sports figures at the center of the controversy.
The Approach
Our multifaceted representation included a combination of class action defense, criminal defense, regulatory / consumer enforcement representation, and PR and crisis management. We also assisted our clients in a civil enforcement investigation by state consumer protection regulators and a Department of Justice investigation.
The Outcome
No charges were brought against our clients, and the class actions were dismissed against our clients in their entirety.
Supporting Professionals
Mark Robinson, Co-chair, White Collar Defense & Government Investigations Practice, and Mackenzie Queenin, an associate in the practice, guided these key fantasy sports figures throughout the litigation and investigation process.
