Three US lawmakers are demanding that FanDuel release nearly 30 personalized celebrity videos sent to high-rolling bettors, putting pressure on the operator over concerns that the benefits are used to exploit problem gamblers.
The demand comes after it was revealed that Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper recorded a video greeting for a FanDuel customer who reportedly lost $1.5 million gambling on the platform.
Thompson later contemplated suicide over a gambling loss, but police intervened after he contacted his therapist, according to his lawsuit.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. and Valerie Fauci, D.N.C. has given FanDuel until October 20 to provide videos detailing the recipients’ gambling history and how the VIP targets were selected.
$1.5M gambling loss
philadelphia enquirer It was first reported in July that Harper had recorded a personal thank you message to Thompson, who is suing FanDuel and DraftKings for allegedly taking advantage of his gambling addiction.
Thompson claims he wagered $18.5 million through FanDuel between 2020 and 2025, losing about $1.5 million.
The 21-second video, arranged by Thompson’s FanDuel VIP manager via celebrity messaging service Cameo, included a reference to Thompson’s young son and a Thanksgiving greeting from the baseball star.
Harper later said that he did not realize that the video would be used as FanDuel promotion and that if he had known he would never have recorded it.
“I did not consent to this and FanDuel had no right to do this,” Harper said in July.
The incident sparked a congressional investigation into FanDuel’s VIP program, which rewards high-spending customers with personal attention and perks.
‘Let’s see the receipts’
In a September 24 statement, FanDuel admitted to sending approximately 30 personalized videos featuring athletes and entertainers over the past two years.
The operator portrayed the messages as a symbol of appreciation for brand loyalty and denied using them to encourage additional wagering.
However, federal lawmakers are skeptical.
The inquiry sent to FanDuel leadership demanded disclosure of how much each recipient had bet and lost, whether the targets had already marked gambling limits, and why specific VIP managers selected them for outreach.
Congressional investigators are also seeking clarification on whether the celebrities who participated understood that their recording would be linked to the promotion of sports betting.
The investigation extends to FanDuel’s use of customer data, particularly as information collected to identify potential problem gamblers is also used to target customers with bonuses and other incentives.
“Okay, FanDuel, let’s look at the receipts,” Blumenthal wrote on X.
FanDuel says its VIP staff are trained to recognize the signs of gambling harm and the program is aimed at retaining customers rather than encouraging excessive betting.
The company has said that it has no plans to discontinue the VIP program.