Members of Congress Demand FanDuel End VIP Bettor Programs Over Bryce Harper Video Controversy

Three members of Congress sent letters Monday demanding that FanDuel eliminate its VIP rewards program for bettors, escalating a controversy that began after reports surfaced that a FanDuel VIP manager sent a personalized video from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper to a customer with a gambling addiction. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) sent separate letters to FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski and to Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, calling the situation “deeply disturbing” and demanding written answers by Aug. 24.

The controversy traces back to a July report from the Philadelphia Inquirer, which detailed how Terry Thompson, a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania resident, received a 21-second video greeting from Harper in November 2024 as a reward for his activity on FanDuel’s platform. Thompson had wagered roughly $18.5 million with the sportsbook and ultimately lost about $1.5 million, according to the lawsuit filed on his behalf. Harper has said he recorded the clip through Cameo, the celebrity video service, believing it was a personal holiday greeting, and had no knowledge that FanDuel intended to use it as a promotional reward tied to a VIP betting tier.

What the Lawmakers Are Demanding

In their letter to Genetski, Blumenthal, Tonko, and Foushee argued that FanDuel’s VIP program relies on tactics designed to keep struggling bettors wagering rather than protect them. “FanDuel should not be using reckless and unscrupulous loyalty programs to drive bettors into debt and addiction,” the lawmakers wrote, adding that VIP hosts foster “false friendships” with customers to encourage continued betting. Thompson has alleged that his FanDuel VIP host regularly asked about his family and provided perks including tickets to two Super Bowls and champagne — even as his losses mounted.

The letter poses eight questions to FanDuel, including whether VIP managers have sent videos featuring other athletes or celebrities to bettors, and what internal monitoring exists to prevent hosts from extending offers to customers showing signs of problem gambling. A FanDuel spokesperson did not directly address the demand to shut down the VIP program but said the company uses a monitoring system to flag concerning betting patterns and employs “trained specialists” to assist gamblers who display harmful behavior.

Pressure on MLB and the Players Union

In a separate letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer, the lawmakers called for a prohibition on players participating in personalized marketing tied to sportsbook VIP programs. Current MLB rules allow players to strike endorsement deals with sportsbook operators as long as they don’t use their name, image, or likeness to directly encourage betting on games — a policy the lawmakers said leaves room for exactly the kind of promotion involving Harper’s video. That collective bargaining agreement is set to expire Dec. 1, and the MLBPA has previously signaled it wants more latitude for players to work with gambling companies, not less.

The dispute is unfolding alongside a broader legal fight. The nonprofit Public Health Advocacy Institute filed a lawsuit in March in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court on behalf of Thompson and a second bettor, Christopher Sage, accusing FanDuel, DraftKings, the NFL, and data provider Genius Sports of designing products that intentionally maximize compulsive betting. FanDuel and DraftKings have since asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing they have no legal duty to protect customers from their own lawful wagering. Harper is not named as a defendant in that litigation.

What Comes Next

With an Aug. 24 deadline looming for FanDuel, MLB, and the MLBPA to respond, the episode adds fresh scrutiny to how sportsbooks court and retain high-volume bettors at a moment when regulators and lawmakers are increasingly focused on responsible-gambling safeguards. Bettors comparing sportsbook promotions and looking for operators with transparent responsible-gaming tools can review current offers on the Sportsbook Promotions hub, while those wanting more background on how operator loyalty programs function industry-wide can check the latest FanDuel Sportsbook Review.