TLDR
- FanDuel sent a letter to three members of Congress defending its VIP program.
- The letter follows concerns raised after a Bryce Harper Cameo video was sent to a gambling addict.
- FanDuel says VIP hosts are salaried and are not paid based on customer wins or losses.
- Parent company Flutter spent $158 million last year on responsible gambling efforts, according to the letter.
- Terry Thompson, who wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel, is suing the company over alleged predatory practices.
FanDuel has sent a letter to three members of Congress defending its VIP program. The letter was addressed to Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Representative Paul Tonko of New York, and Representative Valerie Foushee of North Carolina.
The lawmakers had raised concerns after a video surfaced showing baseball star Bryce Harper sending a personal message through Cameo. The message was directed at Terry Thompson, a man who has struggled with gambling addiction.
In the video, Harper told Thompson the message came from “your host Bryttanni from FanDuel.” Harper later said he did not know the video was meant for someone dealing with addiction.
How FanDuel Says It Protects VIP Customers
FanDuel told lawmakers that its VIP program follows the same responsible gaming rules as the rest of its platform. The company said these standards are set by regulators in the 26 states where FanDuel is licensed.
The sportsbook said VIP account managers are paid a salary. They are not paid based on whether customers win or lose money.
FanDuel also said VIP staff go through training to spot signs of problem gambling. The company said refresher training happens every quarter as new tools become available.
“FanDuel shares your interest in customer protection and responsible gaming,” the company wrote in its letter, according to Covers. The letter added that FanDuel is committed to transparency as sports betting continues to grow.
The Lawsuit Behind the Controversy
Thompson is now suing FanDuel and other betting operators. He claims the companies used predatory tactics to keep him betting heavily.
Records show Thompson wagered about $18.5 million with FanDuel. He also received gifts and sports tickets through the VIP program.
Thompson’s lawsuit claims operators pushed him toward heavier betting through targeted microbets and other incentives. FanDuel has not addressed the lawsuit directly in its letter to Congress.
FanDuel said potential VIP members go through screening before joining the program. The company said its behavioral teams also track signs of problem gambling among current VIP customers.
When risks are found, FanDuel said it responds with education, required betting limits, suspensions, or permanent bans. “Any customer who tells us, at any point, that they have a gambling problem or an addiction is immediately and permanently excluded from every FanDuel product,” the letter said.
The company pointed to its parent company, Flutter, which spent $158 million last year on responsible gambling programs. FanDuel said this funding supports research and new tools for players.
FanDuel also mentioned its role in starting the Responsible Online Gaming Association. The group focuses on education and awareness around gambling risks.
According to FanDuel, members of that association have put more than $20 million into a shared database used for self-exclusion. The database also supports independent audits of member companies.
FanDuel closed its letter by saying it wants to keep working with Congress. The company said it remains open to further conversations about customer protection as the sports betting industry keeps expanding.
