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State of Play’s TL;DR
- FanDuel says its VIP program operates under the same responsible gaming framework as the rest of its business, as the sportsbook responds to questions from members of Congress.
- The company also said VIP hosts are not paid based on whether customers win or lose.
FanDuel has sent a letter to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Paul Tonko, and Rep. Valerie Foushee defending its oversight, customer protections, and VIP practices.
The response follows scrutiny tied to a Bryce Harper cameo video that was sent to a gambling addict.
FanDuel said its VIP program does not operate under a separate set of responsible gambling rules. According to the company, the program is governed by the same broader framework it uses across its business.
FanDuel also said those standards are shaped by regulatory requirements in the 26 US jurisdictions where it operates. That is a key part of the company’s defense as lawmakers continue to examine how operators handle high-value customers and responsible gambling safeguards.
Another point in FanDuel’s letter focused on employee incentives. The company said VIP hosts’ compensation is not tied to whether a customer wins or loses.
Problem gambling safeguards remain central to the response
FanDuel said employees in the VIP program receive extensive training to recognize problem gambling. That detail goes to the heart of the congressional scrutiny, which centers on whether VIP-style outreach and marketing can conflict with player-protection goals.
While the source material does not detail the lawmakers’ full list of concerns, the exchange puts added attention on how sportsbook VIP programs are supervised, how staff are trained, and how operators describe their responsible gaming controls.
For bettors and industry watchers, the immediate takeaway is that VIP programs remain under the microscope. FanDuel’s position is that its protections apply across the board, including to premium customers, and that its practices already align with existing regulatory standards in the states where it does business.
Based on reporting by Brad Sinkew for Covers.
