NEW: I posed as a problem gambler on DraftKings to test the company’s “responsible gaming” safeguards.
Spoiler Alert: They invited me into the VIP program after just one week. Here’s how I yeeted $20K+ ripping riskier and risker bets 🧵
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I also want to acknowledge that this was a controlled experiment. I could walk away. That’s not always easy for everyone.
I couldn’t — and didn’t try — to mimic how problem gambling can impact your real life outside the app in harmful ways.
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We’re still reporting on this topic. If you use apps like DraftKings and FanDuel or have experience in the gambling industry, you can help our reporting by sharing your transaction history with us.
projects.propublica.org/spor…
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Jake Pearson retweeted
New story:
In 2024, sitting inside the U.S. attorney's office in Honolulu, the former CEO of a defense contractor made a stunning confession to two FBI agents.
He alleged that was the ringleader of a massive pay-to-play operation, bribing senators with campaign contributions in exchange for government contracts.
He said his most important patron was Maine Senator Susan Collins.
propublica.org/article/fbi-s…
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CONSTITUTIONAL SWITCHEROO: In a ‘15 legal bid to kill the CFPB, then-US rep @SecDuffy defended Congress’ power of the purse to check POTUS. Under Trump, he reversed, defying lawmakers’ spending power by withholding billions in transportation funds propublica.org/article/sean-…
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SILICON VALLEY UPSIDE: Trump neutered the consumer watchdog. That’s good for investors like @pmarca, who want to remake the financial system. The CFPB probed 8 of his fintech portcos and tried to regulate $7B of his crypto funds. That’s all now off.
propublica.org/article/trump…
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