Congressional Democrats Call on FanDuel to Scrap VIP Host Programs After Bryce Harper Bet Scandal

Congressional Democrats want FanDuel’s VIP program shuttered after the sportsbook sent a personalized video from Phillies star Bryce Harper to keep an addicted user gambling.

The Philadelphia Inquirer last month revealed the November 2024 video, in which Phillies star Bryce Harper addressed the problem gambler and his son by name. In the clip, Harper thanked the bettor for his support while noting his FanDuel host wanted to make his “Thanksgiving extra special.”

The recipient of the Harper video reportedly lost more than $1.5 million betting on FanDuel, gambling away much of his family’s savings and taking out several mortgages on his home.

Harper later said he was simply fulfilling a Cameo request and had no idea it would be branded by the sportsbook and was purchased as a VIP reward. Harper has no affiliation with the sportsbook.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Reps. Paul Tonko (N.Y.) and Valerie Foushee (N.C.), all Democrats, are requesting that FanDuel shutter its VIP program following the Harper controversy.

Democrats Call for FanDuel VIP End

Blumenthal and Tonko, two critics of legal sports betting who have filed legislation in Congress to implement federal guardrails on the industry, along with Foushee, believe FanDuel’s incentive program for high-volume bettors poses public concerns.

“[FanDuel’s] VIP perks are dangerously designed to distract bettors, including those struggling with a gambling addiction, from their financial losses and entice further destructive gambling—especially when they are attempting to quit.” the Democrats wrote to Christian Genetski, FanDuel CEO.

“The very nature of VIP programs is to develop ‘close’ relationships with their clients over time, fostering false friendships, and frequently asking about bettors’ personal lives to make them more willing to place bets,”

“FanDuel should not be using reckless and unscrupulous loyalty programs to drive bettors into debt and addiction,” the letter continued. “As such, we strongly demand FanDuel end its VIP program for bettors, especially those suffering from a gambling addiction, on its platform.”

Blumenthal, Tonko, and Foushee listed a series of questions for Genetski to answer, including how FanDuel ensures that a bettor is not suffering from a financial hardship or gambling addiction before being enticed with a loyalty offering.

The lawmakers also want insights on how FanDuel monitors customer interactions with VIP hosts.

Sportsbooks Claim No Duty of Care

The gambling addict who received the Harper video has since filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania against FanDuel and DraftKings, another sportsbook he used, on allegations that they use VIP programs to target and exploit consumers with gambling addictions.

In the sportsbooks’ motion for the court to dismiss the complaint, FanDuel lawyers said the sportsbook has no legal responsibility to protect customers from gambling more than they can afford to lose.

“Courts around the country, including courts that sit in this Commonwealth, have held that there is no duty of care to protect customers from their own lawful wagering, even where such wagering is alleged to be compulsive,” read FanDuel’s response.

The addict’s complaint alleges he bet $18.5 million on FanDuel, losing about $1.5 million.