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Three members of the United States Congress have called on FanDuel Sportsbook, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) to review their policies following controversy over a personalized video featuring Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper that was reportedly provided as a reward to a VIP sportsbook customer.
US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Valerie P. Foushee (D-N.C.) sent letters demanding changes to sportsbook loyalty programs and athlete promotional arrangements after reports linked Harper’s video to a customer who later lost significant sums through gambling.
The lawmakers specifically called on FanDuel to end its VIP reward program, arguing that such programs can encourage excessive betting among vulnerable customers.
“FanDuel should not be using reckless and unscrupulous loyalty programs to drive bettors into debt and addiction,” Blumenthal, Tonko and Foushee wrote to FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski, as The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. “As such, we strongly demand FanDuel to end its VIP program for bettors, especially those suffering from a gambling addiction, on its platform.”
The controversy began after reports revealed that FanDuel had used a 21-second personalized message from Harper as part of a VIP customer reward. The video was created through Cameo, a platform that allows users to pay celebrities for personalized messages.
Harper later said he was unaware that the recording would be used by FanDuel as part of a gambling promotion.
“I joined Cameo to engage with fans through paid personalized videos. What happened here went beyond anything I knew about or approved,” Harper wrote.
“In November 2024, someone identifying themselves only as ‘Bryttanni’ submitted an order through Cameo for a personal ‘holiday video for Terry.’”
“The request included a short script. I read it in good faith. FanDuel then put its own logo on the video and used it as a gambling promotion.”
“I did not know FanDuel would do this, I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it. Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video.”
Lawmakers Seek Changes To Sportsbook Partnerships
The congressional letters followed reports involving Terry Thompson, a Pennsylvania resident who allegedly lost $1.5 million after placing large wagers with FanDuel. A lawsuit filed by the Public Health Advocacy Institute on Thompson’s behalf against FanDuel and DraftKings alleges that gambling companies used VIP practices to encourage continued betting.
Reports stated that Thompson wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel before receiving VIP benefits, including the Harper video. The lawsuit also claimed he received additional perks from sportsbook operators.
According to the lawmakers, the incident raised broader questions about relationships between professional sports organizations and gambling companies.
“We write to demand an end to the MLB and MLBPA policies that enabled this type of predatory promotion,” the lawmakers said in their letter to MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred and MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer.
MLB rules currently allow players to appear in advertisements or promotional activities for sportsbooks, casinos and racetracks as long as they do not encourage betting on baseball. The lawmakers argued that this framework does not adequately address personalized promotions aimed at sportsbook customers.
“Partnerships that do not violate this rule can even use personalized content from players to drive vulnerable fans into debt and addiction. This is a failure that Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) must confront directly, especially as both are in the midst of renegotiating their collective bargaining agreement.”
The lawmakers asked MLB and MLBPA to respond to questions regarding their relationships with sportsbook operators and whether players should continue participating in promotions connected with VIP gambling programs.
FanDuel Defends Consumer Protection Measures
FanDuel did not agree to end its VIP program in response to the congressional request. The company said it uses monitoring systems to identify potentially harmful gambling behavior and provides support through trained specialists.
“Customer protection informs every decision we make as an organization, and we do not compromise when it comes to doing the right thing for our customers,” a FanDuel spokesperson said.
The company has said its responsible gambling measures include identifying concerning account activity and assisting customers who display warning signs.
MLB declined to comment on the lawmakers’ request, while MLBPA also did not issue a statement.