FanDuel Releases Bettor Data to Counter High-Roller Criticism
FanDuel disclosed a $5 median bet and $63 monthly median loss to rebut claims it targets high-rollers via its VIP program. The data shows most US sports bettors wager infrequently, with participation down sharply since 1989. The release follows criticism from Sen. Blumenthal over 30 celebrity videos sent in two years.
SCCG Take — The emphasis on median metrics offers operators a template for defending commercial practices against selective narratives. Regulators will likely demand more granular VIP disclosures in response.
FanDuel has published internal platform data to address criticism that its sportsbook preys on losing bettors and over-relies on VIP incentives. The operator, which holds a 44% market share, reports a median bet of $5. The median sports bettor loses $63 a month.
This figure stands in contrast to the $329 average monthly spend on dining out by Americans, per 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited by the company. FanDuel notes that calculating the median involves ordering all bet values from smallest to largest and selecting the middle one.
FanDuel VIP Defense
The company has drawn scrutiny from US Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) over its VIP program, which includes personalized video messages from athletes and entertainers. The matter escalated after Bryce Harper recorded a video for a user who lost $1.5 million. Blumenthal demanded details after the incident gained national attention. FanDuel confirmed it sent approximately 30 such videos across a two-year span.
The operator cited research from Cambridge University’s Journal of Financial Literacy and Wellbeing. That work shows 50.5% of US sports bettors wager a few times a year and 21.9% bet once a year. Only 4.7% bet weekly and 2.3% bet daily. A 2026 Gallup poll indicates sports betting participation among Americans has fallen from 22% in 1989 to 7% this year. FanDuel stated that betting on sports predates the current legal online market.
Responsible Gaming Tools
FanDuel acknowledges that medians and averages only tell part of the story. The operator makes bet limits and cooling-off periods available to customers. Blumenthal has continued to press for full disclosure on VIP practices and the associated videos. FanDuel operates in Connecticut through a partnership with Mohegan Sun, as reported by Casino.org.
Reporting: Casino.org News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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