FanDuel Bans Bettor Who Heckled Gabby Thomas At Track Event
In a recent incident that raised eyebrows across the sports betting community, FanDuel took decisive action against a bettor who proudly proclaimed that his heckling directed at athlete Gabby Thomas during a track event helped his bets come through. The user, known on X as @mr100kaday, posted a video alongside a wager slip that claimed a victory of $1,696.97 from a $1,000 stake, as well as an additional $827.11 profit from a $200 four-way parlay.
In the accompanying video, the bettor can be heard yelling derogatory remarks such as, “You a choke artist, Gabby!” and “You going down, Gabby!” during Thomas’s 100-meter race at the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia. The race concluded with Melissa Jefferson-Wooden taking home the win, with Jefferson-Wooden’s odds at -180 favoring her victory over Thomas.
FanDuel’s Firm Stance Against Abuse
In response to the incident, FanDuel swiftly banned the user, underscoring its zero-tolerance policy for abusive behavior directed toward athletes. A spokesperson for FanDuel stated to ESPN, “FanDuel condemns in the strongest terms abusive behavior directed towards athletes. Threatening or harassing athletes is unacceptable and has no place in sports. This customer is no longer able to wager with FanDuel.”
Additionally, Grand Slam Track has initiated a thorough investigation into the situation. The venue issued a statement affirming, “We are conducting a full investigation into the reprehensible behavior captured on video. We are working to identify the individual involved and will take appropriate action as necessary. Let us be clear, despicable behavior like this will not be tolerated.”
The Broader Issue of Bettor Abuse
This episode is part of a troubling trend, as professional athletes increasingly report instances of online abuse from bettors. Just last month, Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. revealed he received death threats against his family from an overseas bettor reacting to a game. Houston Police traced the abusive messages back to an inebriated individual who later issued an apology, although investigations remain ongoing.
Similarly, Boston Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks has voiced concerns about the pervasive online harassment his team experiences, categorizing it as “deplorable” and noting that such threats are almost a daily occurrence. Fellow Red Sox player Jarren Duran faced the added distress of being heckled about his mental health struggles during a game in Cleveland, resulting in the ejection of the offending fan.
A study commissioned by the NCAA last year revealed that harassment from “angry sports bettors” constitutes a significant portion of online abuse faced by college athletes, accounting for at least 12% of social media insults. Past incidents have even led to legal repercussions for offenders. For instance, in 2019, Addison Choi was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $5,500 for sending death threats to 45 college athletes following his gambling losses. A year later, Benjamin Patz, also known as Parlay Patz, was handed 36 months of probation for threatening multiple athletes with graphic remarks related to his betting losses.
As the gambling landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative for both the industry and fans to foster a respectful environment that prioritizes the well-being of athletes. Balancing enthusiasm for sports betting with the ethics of sportsmanship remains crucial in maintaining the integrity of both fields.
In conclusion, organizations like FanDuel and Grand Slam Track are taking critical steps in addressing abusive behavior, sending a unified message that harassment, whether online or in-person, will not be tolerated. This incident highlights the need for ongoing dialogue on responsible gambling practices and athlete protection in the realm of sports.
Adam Roarty is an experienced writer with extensive knowledge of the gambling industry. With five years of experience as a content writer and editor for reputable sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph, and Gambling Industry News, Adam focuses on emerging trends in the evolving U.S. betting landscape. Stay updated on topics like prediction markets, changing legislation, and innovative sweepstakes developments in the industry.
