Summary
- DraftKings is now at the center of a class-action lawsuit brought forth by a visually impaired individual, who claims the platform lacks essential accessibility features.
- This lawsuit holds significant weight as it boldly challenges the company on new grounds beyond the usual issues of problem gambling and canceled bets.
- DraftKings has chosen silence on the lawsuit and seems unlikely to address it publicly.
DraftKings, recognized as America’s top sportsbook and gaming platform, is currently facing a lawsuit from a blind gambler. The plaintiff claims that he struggled to access the company’s website, pointing out that DraftKings failed to incorporate necessary accessibility features for blind users.
Lawsuit says DraftKings failed to meet standards for accessibility
Last week, Anthony Benson filed a class-action lawsuit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York against a company for not adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines ensure that online platforms are accessible to visually impaired individuals. Benson, who is visually impaired, tried to use the platform's offerings but faced ongoing issues that made the website incompatible with standard screen-reading software. Because of this, he was unable to fully access the platform and felt discouraged from returning, even though he wanted to participate in upcoming NFL fantasy contests and betting promotions. The lawsuit argues that, under federal law, the company is obligated to make its services accessible to people with disabilities and claims that this requirement has not been fulfilled.
Lawsuit with unclear outcome, but an important one all the same
Benson's complaint zeroes in on a specific accessibility issue that he believes justifies legal action. In July and August, his attempts to engage with the fantasy section were thwarted by the platform's lack of necessary accessibility features. While the outcome of Benson's lawsuit remains uncertain, it has certainly caught the attention of DraftKings and other sportsbooks. They are likely to scrutinize the validity of such claims and assess whether their websites are truly accessible to all users. DraftKings has faced legal challenges in the past, including disputes over promotions and responsible gaming policies, as well as issues related to voiding bets. However, the company has yet to comment on this current lawsuit.
