New Jersey Committee Approves Resolution Urging Limits on Targeted Gambling Ads After FanDuel Video Incident

New Jersey lawmakers have approved a resolution urging restrictions on gambling advertisements aimed at people displaying symptoms of problem gambling or addiction.

The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee unanimously approved AR 150 on Monday, according to CDC Gaming. The measure responds to a FanDuel scandal first reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer on July 9, in which the company sent a personalized video featuring Philadelphia Phillies player Bryce Harper to a customer who said he lost around $1.5 million on wagers due to his gambling addiction.

In the video, Harper named the man, acknowledged his son, and thanked him for support. Harper stated that FanDuel added its logo and used the video on a gambling promotion without his knowledge or consent. He denied any affiliation with FanDuel and said he joined Cameo to engage with fans after a request for a holiday video.

William Moen, chair of the committee and author of AR 150, said: “It was explicitly made clear that this video was prepared to further entice gambling by this individual.” Moen, a Democrat, noted risks from easy access to personalized messages from athletes or celebrities. “This resolution simply urges the prohibition of this kind of advertising to prevent this type of situation from occurring in the future,” Moen said. “This is something that we see as a problem.”

Committee Actions on Self-Exclusion and Third-Party Requests

The seven-member committee also unanimously approved a measure requiring those on self-exclusion lists to watch educational and counseling videos prior to removal from the lists. The New Jersey Racing Commission and Division of Gaming Enforcement would be required to issue regulations governing the program.

A5210, sponsored by Moen, permits third-party requests for individuals to be excluded from gambling under certain circumstances, including proof of the third party’s sole or joint financial responsibility for funds that may be used for gambling. The Sports Betting Alliance opposed the bill but did not testify.

What Enforcement Looks Like Next

The resolutions direct clear regulatory follow-through on advertising boundaries and self-exclusion safeguards. Operators in the state will calibrate compliance programs around the eventual rules from the Division of Gaming Enforcement, with emphasis on avoiding personalized outreach that reaches at-risk customers. The unanimous votes indicate sustained legislative attention to these specific practices.

Reporting: CDC Gaming

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