FanDuel is reinforcing its commitment to responsible gaming (RG) with the launch of a sophisticated new tool aimed at helping customers make more informed decisions about the funds they deposit into their accounts. The online sportsbook operator unveiled its Real-Time Check-In technology on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, a move that leverages data and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide proactive support during key moments in the betting journey.

The launch comes amidst periods of high-intensity sports action. Recent events, such as significant comebacks witnessed in the ongoing NBA playoffs (citing examples like the New York Knicks’ victories) and rallies in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (citing Edmonton Oilers successes), can sometimes prompt bettors to chase losses. This behaviour can lead to depleted accounts and a tendency to deposit funds again quickly. The Real-Time Check-In tool is designed to provide support to customers during these moments and other instances of depositing.

The development of the tool also occurs against a backdrop of ongoing discussions regarding potential regulatory mandates for deposit limits. Debate on this topic has intensified, with proposals such as US Representative Paul Tonko’s SAFE Bet Act, which includes a provision on affordability related to deposit frequency, prohibiting operators from accepting more than five deposits from a customer over a 24-hour period. A similar proposal is reportedly also being sponsored by a New York state assemblyman. While operators consistently state that compulsive gamblers constitute only a small portion of their user base, internet searches for assistance with gambling addiction have reportedly surged. This trend has led some to caution that the industry’s “social license” may be at risk, necessitating operators demonstrate that their platforms are sustainable for users and prioritising player protection.

Enhancing Deposit Decisions with Real-Time Check-In

Real-Time Check-In is described as a sophisticated RG tool that combines data with machine learning to analyse and model personalised deposit behaviour in real time. According to FanDuel senior executives (as reported by iGaming Times), a deposit is considered a “key moment in the customer journey,” and machine learning is being utilised to provide a “new level of support” by encouraging customers to pause and reflect on their deposit amount and whether it aligns with their budget.

The tool works by using AI to predict an expected deposit amount for each customer on a given day, analysing personalised data covering deposits, withdrawals, bonusing, and wagering activity from FanDuel’s North American casino and sportsbook databases. The models are built to account for fluctuations in gambling volume based on the daily sports calendar, recognising that expected deposit levels might be higher on a popular day like an NFL Sunday compared to a slower period like a Tuesday evening in the middle of summer. If a customer makes a deposit attempt that is inconsistent with their normal betting patterns or predicted amount, they will receive an alert from FanDuel. This alert provides an opportunity for the customer to review their spending habits, set a deposit limit, or potentially lower the original amount they intended to deposit. Early testing of a limited version of the product, which was conducted in a pilot for several months, reportedly showed that a sizeable number of customers who received alerts subsequently set deposit limits, a result that executives found encouraging regarding player awareness and control over their own play.

Leveraging Data and AI for Personalised Support

Developing the Real-Time Check-In technology, particularly building the system to fire instantly as soon as a bettor makes a deposit attempt, presented some technological hurdles. However, executives reported, as covered by iGaming Times, that the rollout went “incredibly smoothly” for FanDuel’s first foray into a buildout involving such real-time complexities. FanDuel leveraged the experience of Sportsbet, its sister brand under Flutter in Australia, which offers a similar real-time check tool, in building the technology. FanDuel’s RG team is reportedly “intrigued by the possibility of creating proactive safeguards” for customers by embedding a real-time check within the deposit flow itself, offering support at a critical decision point.

Outlook and Availability

FanDuel has stated that the Real-Time Check-In deposit tool will be made available to customers in every state where it offers online sports betting. The company also plans to expand the product to its horse racing and daily fantasy sports offerings later this year (2025).

In conclusion, FanDuel’s launch of the Real-Time Check-In tool signifies a clear commitment to enhancing its responsible gaming measures through the use of advanced technology and data. By providing proactive, real-time support for customers’ deposit decisions, the company aims to empower player awareness and control, reflecting a focus on industry sustainability and player protection amidst ongoing discussions about regulatory mandates and the importance of responsible gambling practices.