NFL Loses Key Sportsbook Partners Amid Gambling Lawsuit Challenges
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For the first time since 2021, the NFL finds itself without any official sportsbook partners as of April 1, 2026. The league’s previous agreements with industry giants FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars lapsed at the end of March without any signs of renewal. This gap in partnerships occurs during a time of increased scrutiny regarding the league’s involvement in sports betting.
These partnerships, which began in April 2021, were lucrative agreements valued at nearly $1 billion over five years. The expiration of these contracts, particularly with FanDuel and DraftKings, was attributed to halted negotiations over rising costs related to the distribution of official streaming data from Genius Sports, the NFL’s exclusive data provider. Caesars was anticipated not to renew its deal under any circumstance.
In June 2025, Genius Sports extended its exclusive data contract with the NFL through the 2030 season, solidifying its role as the primary data source for a vast majority of legalized sports betting in the U.S. The NFL was a significant stakeholder in Genius Sports until mid-2024, when changes in private equity caused it to lose that status, although it continues to remain a major shareholder.
The NFL has indicated its interest in exploring various partnership structures going forward, which could include a singular exclusive deal as opposed to maintaining the previous three-partner format. However, potential allies for a new arrangement are scarce, as FanDuel and DraftKings together dominate about two-thirds of the U.S. sportsbook market.
Compounding these developments, the league is currently grappling with legal challenges related to its gambling practices. On March 24, the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) initiated a product liability lawsuit in Philadelphia that directly targets the NFL along with DraftKings and FanDuel, while Genius Sports is also included in the case. Notably, Caesars was not mentioned as a defendant in the legal action.
This lawsuit accuses the named companies of creating online sports betting platforms that are addictive, particularly focusing on microbetting—a practice involving rapid in-game bets on individual plays. These bets settle almost immediately and are facilitated through the same data pipeline that has become a point of contention between the NFL and its betting partners.
Representatives of PHAI argue that the industry’s marketing tactics closely resemble those historically used by the tobacco sector, aiming to entice consumers into increasingly compulsive betting behaviors. In particular, the complaint highlights how companies employed advanced AI-driven notifications to enhance engagement, even prompting individuals to place bets against their own wishes.
As U.S. sports betting saw record revenues of $16.96 billion in 2025, the lawsuit could present significant implications for the NFL and its ongoing relationship with sports betting. The league remains the most bet on sport in the nation, and the outcome of this legal challenge may reshape its future involvement in the betting landscape.
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