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Three federal lawmakers are demanding more information about FanDuel’s VIP program after the sportsbook acknowledged sending approximately 30 personalized celebrity videos to customers over two years.
The inquiry follows controversy surrounding a video featuring Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper that was sent to a bettor who had lost $1.5 million on FanDuel, according to lawmakers. The case has raised questions about whether VIP rewards could encourage continued betting among customers showing signs of gambling harm.
On Oct. 6, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Reps. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., sent a letter to FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski requesting copies of the videos and detailed information about their recipients.
The lawmakers said FanDuel’s previous responses failed to adequately address concerns about its VIP practices.
Lawmakers demand all FanDuel celebrity videos
The latest request follows FanDuel’s Sept. 24 response to an earlier congressional inquiry. In that letter, the sportsbook acknowledged arranging approximately 30 personalized videos featuring athletes and entertainers over the past two years.
FanDuel characterized the recordings as tokens of appreciation for customer loyalty rather than incentives to encourage additional gambling. The company said it generally obtained the messages through publicly available services.
The lawmakers challenged that explanation, citing the Bryce Harper video sent to a customer who had already accumulated substantial betting losses.
They are now requesting copies of every personalized celebrity video distributed to FanDuel VIP customers, along with records explaining how and why each recipient was selected.
Inquiry targets betting losses and selection
Beyond obtaining the recordings, lawmakers want FanDuel to disclose each recipient’s total wagers and winnings or losses before receiving a celebrity message.
They also requested information about whether recipients had previously used responsible gambling tools, including suspending their accounts, pausing notifications or taking other steps to restrict betting activity.
Another focus is the VIP selection process. The lawmakers want to know why each customer was chosen and what steps their VIP host took to determine whether the bettor showed signs of problem gambling, significant financial losses or economic hardship.
The inquiry also asks FanDuel to identify the service used to obtain each video and explain whether participating celebrities understood the recordings’ connection to the sportsbook or their potential use in gambling promotions.
These questions could help establish whether FanDuel’s VIP practices adequately account for customers’ financial circumstances and gambling behavior.
FanDuel’s responsible gambling safeguards questioned
The lawmakers are also examining how FanDuel uses customer information to identify potential gambling harm.
In its Sept. 24 response, FanDuel said it conducts automated and manual reviews of customer behavior, including changes in wagering, deposits, withdrawals and time spent on the platform.
The company also described its Real-Time Check-In system, introduced in 2025, which uses machine learning to flag deposits that differ from a customer’s established patterns.
FanDuel maintains that its VIP staff receive responsible gambling training and that customer-protection procedures are separate from commercial retention efforts.
However, the lawmakers want more information about whether data collected to identify at-risk customers is also used to determine who receives personalized videos, push notifications, promotional offers, retention bonuses or other VIP benefits.
Their concern is whether information intended to protect vulnerable bettors could also be used to target them with incentives to continue gambling.
Bryce Harper video sparks renewed scrutiny
The controversy centers on a personalized Cameo video Bryce Harper recorded for Terry Thompson, a FanDuel customer who has sued the sportsbook, alleging its VIP incentives contributed to his gambling addiction and approximately $2 million in betting losses.
According to Reuters, Harper believed he was recording a personal holiday greeting in November 2024. He later said he was unaware the video would be used for gambling promotion and alleged that FanDuel added its logo without his consent.
Lawmakers cited the incident as evidence of the need to examine whether FanDuel’s VIP rewards adequately protect vulnerable bettors.
FanDuel faces Oct. 20 response deadline
The three lawmakers have given FanDuel until Oct. 20, 2026, to provide the requested videos and information.
Their letter follows earlier exchanges in which FanDuel defended its VIP program and said its employees are trained to identify and escalate signs of problematic gambling.
The sportsbook has also stated that it does not offer perks to discourage customers from reducing their betting activity or closing their accounts.
Nevertheless, the lawmakers say FanDuel has not sufficiently explained how it prevents potentially vulnerable bettors from receiving personalized rewards and promotional incentives.
The latest inquiry expands the focus beyond Harper’s video to the broader operation of FanDuel’s VIP program, particularly how the company uses customer data and evaluates gambling-related risks.
For now, the request represents continued congressional scrutiny rather than a formal regulatory action. FanDuel’s response could provide greater insight into how its loyalty program operates alongside its responsible gambling safeguards.
