After the much-anticipated launch of “Beast Games,” a consumer advocate has voiced concerns regarding the show’s collaboration with a financial technology firm.

The initial two episodes of “Beast Games,” hosted by YouTube star James “Jimmy” Donaldson, more commonly referred to as MrBeast, debuted on Prime Video this Thursday. The series involves 1,000 participants competing across 10 episodes in various physical and mental challenges to win prizes such as $5 million, a private island, and luxury vehicles like Lamborghinis.

However, following the release, a consumer advocate expressed worries about MrBeast’s partnership with MoneyLion, particularly given the show’s appeal to younger viewers.

Prior to the launch, “Beast Games” also made headlines as five contestants filed a lawsuit against Donaldson and Amazon, claiming workplace mistreatment.

Rising concerns over fintech collaboration

In the second episode, contestants are prompted to scan a QR code to enter a $4.2 million sweepstakes via MoneyLion. To participate, viewers need to sign up for a free MoneyLion account, although no purchases, payments, or deposits are necessary for entry or prizes, according to the sweepstakes’ guidelines.

While participants in the sweepstakes are not obliged to engage financially with MoneyLion, the company does market its services, which include personal loans, instant cash, financial tracking, and credit-building options.

Lauren Saunders, associate director at the National Consumer Law Center, described firms like MoneyLion as a “new breed” of payday loan providers. Payday loans are short-term, high-interest loans usually due on the borrower’s next paycheck.

“We see many predatory lenders offering loans with exorbitant rates, often reaching 300% APR, while disguising themselves with appealing marketing,” noted Saunders regarding MoneyLion’s practices. “By promoting such sweepstakes, they capture the attention of young audiences, luring them into debt cycles that lead to increased overdraft fees and hinder their financial progress.”

According to Parrot Analytics, 46% of MrBeast’s viewers are aged between 13 and 22. Saunders expressed that it is “really distressing” how fintech companies like MoneyLion are targeting young individuals with engaging apps.

“They can profit significantly from vulnerable populations,” she remarked.

A MoneyLion representative stated in a response to YSL News that the sweepstakes is exclusively for adults aged 18 and older.

“Our goal at MoneyLion is to empower everyone to make informed financial choices and attain better results,” the spokesperson elaborated. “We strive to ensure that our product offerings are accessible, fair, and geared towards achieving optimal outcomes for our clients.”

Overview of the ‘Beast Games’ lawsuit

In September, five contestants from “Beast Games” initiated a class action lawsuit against MrBeast and Amazon, citing pay denial, unsafe working conditions, and a “culture of misogyny and sexism.”

The lawsuit pertains to the workplace conditions during “episode zero” of “Beast Games,” produced earlier this year. This episode, which was aired on MrBeast’s YouTube channel and is not included in the Amazon series, featured 2,000 contestants vying for a $5 million prize inside Las Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium. This video was used to select the final 1,000 contestants for the official Amazon series filmed in Toronto, Canada.

The complaint alleges that participants were denied food, sleep, and adequate medical attention, leading to physical injuries for several contestants, with some requiring hospitalization during production. Furthermore, it claims that women on set experienced “extreme humiliation” and that the production did not conduct comprehensive background checks.

The lawsuit also alleges that the “Beast Games” contestants were made to sign “unlawful agreements” that classified them as volunteers, potentially allowing the production to receive tax benefits while filming in Las Vegas.

As of now, Amazon has refrained from commenting, and MrBeast’s team has yet to respond to YSL News inquiries regarding the lawsuit.

How to stream ‘Beast Games’

Viewers can watch “Beast Games” exclusively on Prime Video. The initial two episodes were released on Thursday, with new episodes being released weekly every Thursday at noon EST until February 13. The series comprises 10 episodes, each around 40 minutes long.

About MrBeast

At 26 years old, Donaldson is a prominent YouTube creator boasting over 337 million subscribers, making his channel the most subscribed on the platform. He is recognized for producing videos featuring extravagant competitions and high-value giveaways.

As of Friday, Donaldson’s most popular video was his take on the Netflix series “Squid Games.”

Donaldson has assembled 456 competitors to battle it out for a prize of $456,000. Unlike the Netflix show, however, there are no fatalities involved. As of Friday, the video garnered over 678 million views.