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FanDuel told members of Congress that it has sent about 30 personalized videos from athletes and entertainers to customers over the past two years as part of its VIP program, according to a Sept. 24 letter obtained after lawmakers pressed the operator for more details.
The letter follows scrutiny tied to reporting on a 21-second Bryce Harper Cameo greeting that was reportedly sent in November 2024 to bettor Terry Thompson, who has alleged gambling addiction and losses of $1.5 million at FanDuel.
FanDuel says VIP outreach is limited and monitored
In the letter, signed by Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Sustainability Cory Fox, FanDuel described itself as "a transparent, responsive, and cooperative partner" and said it has no intention of ending its VIP program.
FanDuel told lawmakers that VIP hosts can contact customers only through approved company channels. The company also said hosts are trained and monitored, and that rewards above certain levels require additional approval.
The operator said hosts are trained to escalate red flags, including concerns that a customer may be struggling to pay for necessities or using language that suggests self-harm. FanDuel also pointed to its Real-Time Check-In machine learning tool, launched in 2025, which flags deposits that are out of line with a customer’s usual pattern.
FanDuel added that it does not run a VIP program for FanDuel Predicts "at this time."
Congressional questions followed earlier response
Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee had been questioning FanDuel’s VIP practices since the summer. According to the source report, the lawmakers sent eight questions on Aug. 10 and demanded the company end its VIP program.
FanDuel responded on Aug. 14, but lawmakers later said that response was misleading and incomplete. They resent the questions on Sept. 3 and set a Sept. 17 deadline, leading to the Sept. 24 reply.
For New York readers, the immediate takeaway is less about a rule change and more about continued scrutiny of how major sportsbooks handle high-value customers and responsible gambling safeguards. The source report does not indicate any new federal action yet, but it does show VIP practices remain under review as policymakers examine consumer protection standards across the industry.
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Source: As reported by sbcamericas.com.
