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Business & Education

Here's what happened when a reporter posed as a problem gambler on DraftKings

WBUR

Published October 6, 2026 at 11:05 AM CDT

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In this photo illustration, the DraftKings logo is displayed on a phone screen on February 15, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Jake Pearson is a problem gambler, losing thousands of dollars a night betting on sports, and a DraftKings VIP, lavished with special offers for free gambling money.

Pearson is also a reporter for ProPublica who says one of the country’s biggest sportsbooks rewarded his recklessness and put profit over protection.

Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks to Pearson about the booming business of online sports betting, and gives an insider’s view of what it’s like to ride the rollercoaster of problem gambling.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Business & Education

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