More than a year after a Jacksonville Jaguars finance manager was fired for stealing $22 million to make illegal sports bets on FanDuel, the NFL franchise and the popular sportsbook have come to a multi-million dollar resolution.
As first reported by ESPN, FanDuel has agreed to fork over $5 million to the Jaguars to cover some of the money Amit Patel stole while working as a mid-level finance manager with the team. The report states Patel, who was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in March 2024 following his conviction on wire fraud charges, stole $22 million from the team via a virtual credit card system used for expenses.
It's reported that Patel used $20 million to make bets with FanDuel, and an additional $1 million with DraftKings. Patel also used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, which included chartering private jets, booking luxury hotels, buying multiple vehicles, and acquiring a country club membership, among other things.
According to ESPN, it was the NFL that encouraged both sides to strike a deal. FanDuel is one of the NFL's official betting partners. A source told the outlet that FanDuel was also motivated to pay the Jaguars "in the interest of being a good partner with the league."
A court filing shows, via ESPN, that Patel was fired in February 2023 by the Jaguars. One month later, Patel was diagnosed with a gambling disorder. He went on to sue FanDuel for $250 million, claiming the sportsbook "exploited" his gambling addiction.
Patel recently told CNN that he "illegally borrow[ed] money by using the Jaguars company credit card" to make big bets, with the hopes of winning big and paying back the stolen money.
This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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