TLDR
- A 2024 video of Bryce Harper made for FanDuel VIP bettor Terry Thompson has become public.
- Thompson is suing FanDuel and DraftKings, claiming their apps caused a gambling addiction that cost him $1.5 million.
- A FanDuel employee reportedly bought the video through Cameo, not as a paid endorsement deal.
- Gambling experts say the case raises questions about how sportsbooks use personal data to keep bettors engaged.
- Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board says it is reviewing the situation but has not commented further.
A video message from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has come to light as part of a Pennsylvania lawsuit against two major sports betting companies.
The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported on the clip Thursday. It shows Harper thanking FanDuel bettor Terry Thompson for his support and wishing him a happy Thanksgiving.
Thompson is now suing FanDuel and DraftKings. He claims the companies built apps that led to a gambling addiction, costing him more than $1.5 million.
Where the Video Came From
The video was made in 2024. Front Office Sports reported Friday that a FanDuel employee purchased it through Cameo, the platform where celebrities record paid personal messages.
Harper does not wear FanDuel branding in the clip. The company’s logo does appear at the bottom of the screen.
The Phillies said Harper would not comment on the video before Thursday’s game in Cincinnati.
Josh Ercole of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania said the video is not that different from ads athletes make for sportsbooks. Still, he said it raises a bigger question.
“Conversations need to be had,” Ercole said, adding that operators should use customer data to spot signs of gambling problems and step in.
Dr. Timothy Fong of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program said there is a gray area when athletes work with betting companies. He said the key issue is whether the video was meant to keep one specific bettor hooked on the platform.
The Lawsuit’s Core Claims
Thompson’s lawsuit argues that FanDuel and DraftKings created apps that go far beyond traditional sports betting. It points to features like microbets, which let users wager on single plays during a game.
The suit also names FanDuel and DraftKings VIP managers, the NFL, and Genius Sports as defendants.
According to court filings, Thompson placed more than $18 million in bets through FanDuel, mostly on in-game NFL wagers. He lost over $1.5 million.
He also bet about $4.5 million through DraftKings and lost $336,000. Court records show he took out second and third mortgages on his home and sold part of a business to keep betting.
FanDuel had given Thompson perks, including a trip to the Super Bowl.
Fong said the case will test whether betting apps themselves caused harm, or whether they simply gave people access to gambling they would have done anyway.
FanDuel responded with a statement saying it is “committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming.” The company said its employees are trained to spot problem gambling and pointed to tools like its “Reality Check” feature, which tracks how long and how much a user has bet during a session.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesperson Doug Harbach said the agency is aware of the situation and reviewing it, but declined to comment further.
Court records show a trial in the case is not expected for at least 18 months.
