Lawmakers Demand FanDuel Terminate ‘Predatory’ VIP Program
A group of federal policymakers wants FanDuel to terminate its lucrative VIP program that caters to high-spending users.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee asked that FanDuel totally eliminate the program and that Major League Baseball tighten its rules on player relationships with sportsbooks after the Bryce Harper controversy.
They said the Harper episode exposes broader concerns about sportsbook VIP practices and player involvement in gambling promotions.
Harper Video Ignites Firestorm
In two letters dated Aug. 10, the lawmakers cited the case of Terry Thompson, a FanDuel customer who allegedly lost more than $1.5 million while experiencing gambling addiction.
According to the letters, FanDuel provided Thompson with expensive perks, including champagne, Super Bowl tickets, exclusive parties, and access to a dedicated VIP manager.
In late 2024, that manager allegedly also arranged for Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper to record a personalized Thanksgiving video for Thompson, referencing Thompson’s son in the message.
Harper has claimed he did not know the video would be used as part of a sportsbook VIP relationship and would not have participated had he understood its purpose.
Cannot Be Reformed?
Blumenthal, Tonko, and Foushee described sportsbook VIP programs as inherently dangerous. They said that hosts can develop personal relationships with high-spending customers, raising the risk of worsening addiction and financial harm.
The lawmakers also asked FanDuel whether VIP managers target people who are attempting to reduce their gambling or trying to close their accounts. In addition, they demanded information about how frequently FanDuel has used personalized celebrity videos to keep VIP customers gambling.
The lawmakers asked new FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski whether the company would suspend or terminate its VIP program.
MLB Asked to Respond
A separate letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Major League Baseball Players Association argued that the Harper episode exposed broader problems with professional sports’ relationship with gambling and the risks it poses to players and fans.
The lawmakers want MLB and the MLBPA to prohibit players from participating in personalized sportsbook marketing connected to VIP programs and address the issue during ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.
The lawmakers asked FanDuel, MLB, and the MLBPA to respond by Aug. 24.
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