Fanatics CEO Helps Rapper Lil Baby Fight Gambling Addiction

Rapper Dominique Armani Jones, better known as Lil Baby, recently opened up about losing a staggering $8-9 million in just one day from gambling. Speaking on Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place podcast, he said he quit gambling altogether after realizing what he’d done.

“Like one day, probably like 40 hours straight, I lost like $8 million, $9 million. I made myself stop gambling,” he said. “I had Mike Rubin write a letter to every casino and ban me from the casino. I just do s**t. I don’t gamble no more.”

Mike Rubin is the founder and CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, a global digital sports platform and the name behind Fanatics Casino and Fanatics Sportsbook. The sportsbook is available online in more than 20 legal sports betting states and jurisdictions. Rubin became close friends with the rapper through various business dealings, including Fanatics and American sports apparel company Mitchell & Ness. 

Banned from the casino

Regulated casinos across the U.S. offer self-exclusion lists, allowing players to control their gambling behavior by voluntarily excluding themselves for a predetermined period, which can range from months to several years or even permanently.

Self-exclusion lists have become increasingly accessible, which is evident in New Jersey. The state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) recently launched a 24/7 online application portal where people can add themselves to the self-exclusion list rather than meeting a state official in person or participating in a videoconference. The DGE’s interim director, Mary Jo Flaherty, said:

“Making the self-exclusion process more accessible is a critical step in our ongoing commitment to responsible gaming. This new online option empowers individuals with a private and efficient way to make decisions about their gaming habits, ensuring they have the resources they need to prioritize their well-being.” 

Sports betting also driving gambling addiction 

Although Lil Baby’s losses stemmed from casinos, the rapid growth of sports betting has also fueled concerns over gambling addiction. Sports wagers are now available in 38 states, set to become 39 in 2025 with Missouri sports betting. Diana Good, Executive Director of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, said last year:

“We used to think the problem gambler was a little old lady at the slot machine. Now, it’s the 20-something male betting on sports. That is the new demographic of the problem gambler.”

Major industry players have stepped up to help fight problem gambling’s rise, especially during this year’s Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM), which takes place every September. This year’s initiative saw FanDuel launch “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting,” a hub that provides information on gambling and tips on how to recognize the warning signs of gambling addiction. BetMGM partnered with the American Gaming Association to promote responsible gaming messages within nine NFL stadiums, with the season kicking off September 5. 

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