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Three members of Congress have renewed their criticism of FanDuel Sportsbook, saying the operator’s response to questions about VIP services and rewards was "misleading and incomplete" and did not show enough protection for vulnerable bettors.
In a new letter to FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul D. Tonko and Valerie P. Foushee said they "remain unconvinced that FanDuel is making an active effort to protect bettors from harmful gambling and instead appears to be promoting addiction." They asked the company to provide written answers to eight questions by Sept. 17.
Lawmakers focus on VIP rewards and athlete-linked promotion
The congressional scrutiny follows an Inquirer report about a 21-second video greeting from Bryce Harper that a FanDuel VIP manager sent in 2024 to a bettor with a gambling addiction.
According to the report, the lawmakers first sent letters on Aug. 10 to FanDuel, Major League Baseball, and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The MLBPA later said it would support banning players from promotional work for sportsbook VIP programs in its next collective bargaining agreement.
FanDuel has said it is "committed to being a transparent and cooperative partner." The company also said it spent $158 million on responsible gaming in 2025, extensively reviews customers’ betting history before offering VIP status, and operates a licensed online sportsbook in 26 U.S. jurisdictions.
Broader questions about responsible gambling and regulation
The lawmakers also criticized FanDuel’s prediction market, FanDuel Predicts, arguing it could undermine or bypass sports betting regulations.
The wider dispute overlaps with ongoing litigation. The article says sportsbook VIP rewards and push notifications are a central part of a lawsuit filed in March by the Public Health Advocacy Institute in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. The suit was filed on behalf of Montgomery County resident Terry Thompson and Delaware County resident Christopher Sage, both described as VIP bettors who developed gambling addictions.
Thompson reportedly lost more than $1.8 million on sports bets and had planned to die by suicide earlier this year rather than reveal the losses to his family. Harper said he recorded the Cameo video without knowing Thompson had an addiction or that FanDuel would use it as a VIP reward.
What to watch next
The next key date is Sept. 17, when FanDuel’s written response is due. For bettors in New York and other regulated states, the story is worth watching as lawmakers continue pressing major sportsbooks on VIP treatment, marketing practices, and responsible gambling safeguards.
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available through problem gambling support resources.
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Source: As reported by David Gambacorta.
