FanDuel to Compensate Jaguars for Stolen Funds in Gambling Scandal

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — FanDuel has agreed to pay the Jacksonville Jaguars approximately $5 million to help cover losses tied to a former employee’s theft of nearly $22 million. The agreement was finalized in early 2025, following the high-profile case of Amit Patel, who misappropriated funds while working as a finance manager for the team.

According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Patel pleaded guilty to wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions in December 2023. The funds were largely lost through online gambling, with Patel reportedly transferring almost $21 million to sportsbooks including FanDuel and DraftKings. He utilized the Jaguars’ virtual credit card program to carry out the theft, creating fraudulent charges to hide his actions.

“The NFL encouraged the Jaguars and FanDuel to reach a resolution but did not take part in discussions,” a source disclosed. FanDuel’s motivation to settle the matter appears to be rooted in maintaining a good relationship with the league.

Patel, who was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison and is currently serving time in a minimum security facility in Alabama, was reported to have lived lavishly while embezzling from the Jaguars. Authorities indicated he used the stolen money for extravagant purchases, which included luxury vehicles and cryptocurrency.

In July 2024, Florida state prosecutors charged Patel with grand theft as part of the ongoing legal fallout from the case. The Jaguars are also pursuing their own legal claims against him, seeking $66.6 million in damages due to the financial losses incurred.

Megha Parekh, the Jaguars’ senior vice president and chief legal officer, expressed the team’s deep sense of betrayal during Patel’s sentencing, stating, “We trusted him. He betrayed us.”

FanDuel and the Jaguars have both declined to comment on the specifics of the agreement.