TLDR
- FanDuel told three members of Congress that about 30 celebrity Cameo videos sent to VIP customers were thank-you gestures, not gambling incentives.
- The letter, sent Tuesday, is the company’s third response to Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Valerie Foushee and Paul Tonko.
- The dispute began after a report on a Bryce Harper video sent to a VIP bettor who later sued FanDuel and DraftKings.
- FanDuel says its VIP program works like loyalty programs in other industries and follows responsible gaming rules.
- FanDuel Predicts is running a 90-day VIP program trial that does not include Cameo videos.
FanDuel has told three members of Congress that celebrity videos sent to its VIP customers were not meant to keep them gambling. The sportsbook made the claim in a letter sent Tuesday and obtained by InGame.
The company said it reviewed about 30 Cameo videos involving athletes and entertainers. It described them as “customer-appreciation gestures” that “were not commissioned or sent to induce continued gambling.”
The letter went to Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Valerie Foushee and Paul Tonko. It is FanDuel’s third response to the lawmakers in a dispute that has lasted several months.
How the Bryce Harper Video Started the Dispute
The exchange began in July after The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on a video featuring Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper. FanDuel had commissioned the video for Terry Thompson, a VIP-level customer.
In the video, Harper wished Thompson a happy Thanksgiving and mentioned his son by name. The video did not mention gambling, but Harper distanced himself from FanDuel when the story came out.
According to media reports, Thompson suffers from gambling addiction. He wagered $18.5 million on FanDuel over six years and lost $1.52 million. He also lost $336,000 on DraftKings.
In March, Thompson sued both companies. His lawsuit says they offer a “known addictive product” and that VIP hosts encourage betting that leads to addiction and financial losses.
In an Aug. 10 letter, the lawmakers asked FanDuel to end its VIP services. They said the programs “drive problem gamblers into debt and relapse.”
Their Oct. 6 letter said they remained concerned that VIP perks are used to exploit vulnerable bettors. They demanded that FanDuel release the full videos and called its earlier responses unacceptable.
FanDuel Defends Its VIP Program
FanDuel Senior Vice President Cory Fox wrote the company’s latest reply. He said the VIP program works “like customer-loyalty programs in many industries.”
Fox wrote that the program is meant “to provide enhanced service and encourage customers who choose to wager to use FanDuel rather than another platform.” VIP customers can receive perks such as event tickets and special promotions.
He said Cameo videos and other personal gestures follow the same responsible gaming rules as all FanDuel marketing. State-regulated sportsbooks must follow strict advertising rules and offer responsible gaming tools.
Fox said FanDuel’s goal is a customer base that “enjoys FanDuel at a level that is right for them, not to maximize wagering activity.” If addiction is suspected, the company can help close an account, point players to tools that reduce play, or suspend or limit the account.
Blumenthal and Tonko co-sponsor the SAFE Bet Act, which would bring sports betting under federal rules. The bill would ban betting ads during live games, require affordability checks, and make states seek federal approval to offer sports betting.
The bill was first introduced in October 2024. It has not gained traction in Congress.
FanDuel declined to answer some questions about “highly sensitive account-level information,” citing privacy and financial concerns. Fox also said the company’s FanDuel Predicts platform is now running a 90-day VIP program trial that does not include Cameo videos.
