Congress Demands Full Set of FanDuel Personalized Celebrity Videos and Associated VIP Customer Data
Blumenthal, Tonko and Foushee demanded every personalized celebrity video FanDuel sent to VIPs, plus full customer wager histories, self-exclusion records and details on how problem-gaming data informs promotions. FanDuel disclosed roughly 30 videos over two years. Parallel reviews target DraftKings’ AI practices in Massachusetts and Michigan.
SCCG Take — Operators risk new limits on VIP personalization if they cannot demonstrate strict separation between harm-monitoring data and marketing targeting.
U.S. lawmakers have sent FanDuel a third letter demanding copies of every personalized celebrity video the operator has sent to VIP bettors. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) cited ongoing concerns that the sports betting company’s VIP program and its perks exploit vulnerable customers.
The request follows an initial letter in August prompted by a personalized Bryce Harper video sent to a customer in November 2024. That customer later sued over problem gambling issues. FanDuel told the lawmakers it sent approximately 30 such videos of athletes and entertainers over the last two years as tokens of appreciation for loyalty, according to Legal Sports Report. The operator has until Oct. 20 to respond.
Congressional Demands Focus on Customer Histories and Monitoring Practices
The letter requires detailed records for each video, including the total amount wagered beforehand, amounts won or lost, whether the recipient requested account suspension or notification pauses, the reason the VIP host targeted that bettor, steps taken to check for vulnerability or significant losses, and the service used to obtain the video. It also asks the extent to which the athlete or celebrity knew the video promoted gambling or connected to FanDuel.
Lawmakers questioned FanDuel’s screening for problem gambling. They noted the operator claims to monitor behaviors through automated and manual proactive reviews to identify players who may be experiencing gambling harm, yet does not provide a full picture of how it uses this information, including whether that same data targets bettors with predatory promotions. Blumenthal posted the letter on X: “FanDuel claims the personalized videos they sent to bettors featuring athletes & celebrities weren’t used to entice gambling. Well, FanDuel let’s see the receipts. I’m demanding these videos & more info about how the VIP programs target problem gamblers.”
Regulatory Risks in Personalized Marketing and AI Targeting
Similar oversight is directed at DraftKings. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is reviewing the operator’s use of machine learning and artificial intelligence after a New York Times report showed it targeted promotions at customers more likely to lose. Massachusetts rules bar promotions based on any AI or machine learning system known or reasonably expected to make the platform more addictive. The Michigan Gaming Control Board acknowledged reviewing the issues raised in the Times and ProPublica reports.
The core limitation exposed here is the gap between operators’ stated responsible-gaming monitoring and the use of that same data for retention offers. Without clearer separation, further legislative or enforcement actions remain likely.
Reporting: Legal Sports Report
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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