FanDuel Discloses About 30 Personalized Athlete Videos in Sept. 24 Letter to Congress
FanDuel disclosed sending about 30 athlete and entertainer videos to VIPs over two years in a Sept. 24 letter to Congress. The response details VIP program controls following backlash over a Bryce Harper video sent to a problem gambler who lost $1.5 million. Lawmakers have yet to reply as scrutiny intensifies.
SCCG Take — Congressional pressure on VIP programs is mounting, forcing operators to provide granular operational details or face potential legislative restrictions on marketing and retention tactics.
FanDuel has told Congress it sent about 30 personalized videos from athletes and entertainers to customers over the past two years. The disclosure forms part of a Sept. 24 letter responding to questions about its VIP program.
The letter came from Cory Fox, FanDuel’s senior vice president of public policy and sustainability. It addressed inquiries from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC), according to reporting by SBC Americas. FanDuel described itself as “a transparent, responsive, and cooperative partner” and stated it has no intentions of ending the VIP program.
Background on the Congressional Inquiry
The questions stem from a 2024 incident where a FanDuel VIP host sent a Cameo video featuring Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper to Terry Thompson, a customer with a gambling addiction who reportedly lost $1.5 million. Thompson filed a lawsuit, and Harper said he did not know how the video would be used.
FanDuel’s initial August response left the lawmakers unsatisfied, prompting a follow-up that led to the latest four-page letter. In it, the company detailed how VIP hosts are trained, monitored and limited. It denied offering perks to keep customers from cutting back on gambling for responsible gaming reasons. It also highlighted tools like the Real-Time Check-In machine learning system launched in 2025.
Implications for Regulatory Scrutiny
Blumenthal and Tonko have been vocal critics, introducing bills such as the SAFE Bet Act and the Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act. They recently launched a gambling reform campaign with the Public Health Advocacy Institute.
The letter represents FanDuel’s latest effort to address concerns, but the lawmakers have not yet responded publicly. This ongoing dialogue highlights increasing focus on how operators engage high-value customers amid growing awareness of problem gambling.
Reporting: SBC Americas
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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