TLDR
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is reviewing a 2024 FanDuel video featuring Bryce Harper sent to VIP customer Terry Thompson
- Thompson was struggling with gambling addiction when he received the 21-second clip
- FanDuel reportedly got the video through Cameo, the celebrity messaging platform
- Thompson is suing FanDuel and DraftKings over $18.5 million in wagers and $1.5 million in losses
- Harper is not named in the lawsuit and has no known business ties to FanDuel
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is looking into a video FanDuel sent to a customer in 2024. The clip features Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper.
The customer, Terry Thompson, received the video while dealing with a gambling addiction. In the 21-second clip, Harper greets Thompson and his son.
Harper thanks Thompson for his support. The video does not show Harper wearing FanDuel gear, but the company added its logo to the footage.
Board Spokesperson Confirms Review
Doug Harbach, a spokesperson for the Gaming Control Board, confirmed the review on Friday. “We are aware of the situation and are reviewing it,” he said.
Harbach added he could not comment further at this point. ESPN reporter David Purdum first reported the story.
In the video, Harper says he is reaching out at the request of “your host Bryttanni at FanDuel.” He wanted Thompson to have an “extra special Thanksgiving.”
A source familiar with the matter said FanDuel obtained the video through Cameo. Cameo is a platform where people pay celebrities for personal video messages.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported it found no evidence Harper has a business relationship with FanDuel. The paper also found no proof Harper knew about Thompson’s gambling addiction.
Harper declined to comment through the Phillies organization. Cameo did not respond to requests for comment either.
Cameo’s website states that performers control how they complete requests. The company says talent “may not follow your request exactly.”
Lawsuit Details Thompson’s Gambling Losses
Thompson’s losses are now part of a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court. The Public Health Advocacy Institute filed the case on his behalf in March.
The suit names both FanDuel and DraftKings as defendants. Harper is not named as a party in the case.
Court documents show Thompson wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel since 2020. He lost $1.5 million during that time.
Thompson also suffered losses through DraftKings, according to the filing. His attorneys say microbets played a role in fueling his addiction.
Microbets are small, in-game wagers on details like pitch speed. The lawsuit claims this betting pattern continued for years.
In February, Thompson lost his final $10,000 on a DraftKings parlay bet. Court filings describe him as broke and overwhelmed at that point.
Thompson told his therapist he intended to take his own life. Police intervened before he could act, according to the filing.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has not said when its review will conclude. No further action has been announced by FanDuel, DraftKings, or Cameo as of Friday.
