U.S. Lawmakers Demand FanDuel Release Celebrity Videos and VIP Betting Histories
Three U.S. lawmakers gave FanDuel until Oct. 20 to provide approximately 30 personalized celebrity videos sent to high-rolling bettors plus recipients’ gambling histories and how VIP targets were selected. The request follows Bryce Harper’s video to a customer who allegedly lost $1.5 million after wagering $18.5 million between 2020 and 2025.
SCCG Take — This probe puts operators on notice that VIP retention tools now draw direct congressional oversight. Clear separation between appreciation gestures and inducements will shape compliance expectations going forward.
Three U.S. lawmakers are demanding that FanDuel disclose approximately 30 personalized celebrity videos sent to high-rolling bettors. The request centers on concerns that these messages may have contributed to the exploitation of customers with gambling problems.
The demand follows the case of a FanDuel customer, Thompson, who received a 21-second video from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper. Thompson claims he wagered $18.5 million through FanDuel between 2020 and 2025, losing approximately $1.5 million. He later contemplated suicide before police intervention, the filing states. Harper said he did not realize the video would serve as a FanDuel promotion.
“I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it,” Harper said in July.
Scope of the Congressional Request
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) have set an October 20 deadline for FanDuel to turn over the videos plus details on each recipient’s gambling history, prior flagged limits, selection criteria for VIP outreach and whether the celebrities knew their messages would tie to sports betting promotions. The inquiry also seeks information on how FanDuel uses customer data both to detect potential problem gamblers and to target them with bonuses and incentives, as first reported by Casino.org.
Blumenthal wrote on X: “Well, FanDuel, let’s see the receipts.”
Operator Response and Program Status
In a September 24 statement, FanDuel confirmed it sent the roughly 30 videos featuring athletes and entertainers over the preceding two years. The company described the messages as tokens of appreciation for brand loyalty and said they were not intended to encourage further wagering. FanDuel added that its VIP staff receive training to identify signs of gambling harm and stated it has no plans to end the program.
Reporting: Casino.org News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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