FanDuel to Pay Jaguars $5 Million in Settlement Over Stolen Funds Scandal
FanDuel has agreed to pay the Jacksonville Jaguars approximately $5 million to help cover the losses from a massive theft committed by a former team employee. The settlement is an amicable resolution to a complex and high-profile dispute, in which the former Jaguars employee, Amit Patel, stole nearly $20 million from the team and deposited the vast majority of it with the sportsbook.
A Massive Theft
The saga began with Amit Patel, a midlevel finance manager for the Jaguars who, between 2019 and 2023, embezzled approximately $22 million from the team. Patel exploited his role as the administrator of the team’s virtual credit card program, creating fraudulent transactions and funneling the stolen funds into his personal accounts.
A significant portion of that money, around $20 million, was then deposited into Patel’s FanDuel account, where he was an active daily fantasy sports player. Another $1 million was deposited with DraftKings.
A Battle Over Blame and Responsibility
After the theft was discovered, a protracted and public battle over who was responsible for the lost funds ensued. The Jaguars demanded that FanDuel return the full amount of the stolen money, arguing that the sportsbook should have recognized the suspicious nature of the deposits.
FanDuel initially refused, stating that it had received the funds in a legitimate transaction and had no legal obligation to return them.
The situation was further complicated by Patel’s own actions. He sued FanDuel for $250 million, claiming the company had “exploited” his gambling addiction and failed to follow its own responsible gaming and anti-money laundering protocols. However, federal authorities later argued that Patel’s theft was not solely driven by addiction, but was also used to fund an extravagant lifestyle that included private jets, luxury hotels, and multiple vehicles.
The Path to a Settlement
With a potential, high-profile legal battle looming, and with the NFL reportedly encouraging a resolution, the two parties ultimately came to an agreement. The decision by FanDuel to pay the $5 million settlement, which was finalized in early 2025, is seen as a strategic move to avoid a costly and potentially damaging lawsuit.
As one of the NFL’s official gambling partners, maintaining a positive relationship with the league and its teams is a key business priority for FanDuel. The settlement allows the company to put the issue to rest and move forward.
For Amit Patel, the consequences have been severe. In March 2024, he was sentenced to 6.5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and illegal financial transactions. He was also ordered to pay $21 million in restitution.
His legal troubles are not over. He has since been transferred to a Florida jail to face additional state-level charges of organized theft, which could carry a sentence of up to 30 years. The Jaguars are also pursuing a civil lawsuit against him, seeking over $66 million in damages, which is allowed under a Florida law that permits treble damages in such cases.
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