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Congressional Democrats Claim FanDuel VIP Program Is ‘Promoting Addiction’

By jili tutorial · September 4, 2026

Congressional Democrats Claim FanDuel VIP Program Is ‘Promoting Addiction’

Three Democratic members of Congress have escalated their investigation into FanDuel’s invitation-only VIP program, stating that the sportsbook’s initial responses to their questions were insufficient. Lawmakers are pressing for greater transparency, arguing that the program may encourage harmful gambling behavior.

Renewed Inquiry Into FanDuel’s VIP Practices

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), along with Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC), are demanding more detailed answers regarding how FanDuel selects VIP members and what incentives it offers to high-volume bettors. The lawmakers sent a follow-up letter dated September 3, criticizing the company’s earlier reply as both misleading and incomplete.

“We write regarding FanDuel’s failure to substantively answer our congressional inquiry, and its misleading and incomplete responses regarding its exploitative VIP services and perks,” the letter states. “We remain unconvinced that FanDuel is making an active effort to protect bettors from harmful gambling. Instead, it appears to be promoting addiction.”

The renewed investigation follows a 2024 incident in which FanDuel sent a personalized video message from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper to a VIP customer. That customer, a Pennsylvania man, has since filed a legal claim against the sportsbook, alleging he lost more than $1.5 million through the mobile betting app.

Lawmakers Demand Answers and Program Suspension

Last month, Blumenthal, Tonko, and Foushee initially demanded that FanDuel either reform or shut down its VIP program. In response, Cory Fox, FanDuel’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Sustainability, stated that the company takes “seriously” its “responsibility to operate in a manner that is accountable, transparent, and worthy of the trust our customers and regulators place in us.”

However, Fox provided few concrete details about how the VIP program works. He did note that compensation for VIP hosts is not tied to customer wagering, and claimed that hosts “proactively discuss” responsible gaming tools with high-volume clients.

Lawmakers found this response inadequate. In their latest letter, they wrote: “FanDuel fails to demonstrate any commitment to its customers’ well-being through any meaningful limitations on exploitative and dangerous marketing and business practices. If FanDuel truly cared about its customers, it would be transparent to Congress about its business practices and put an end to these exploitative tactics.”

The letter includes eight specific questions, including whether FanDuel will suspend or terminate its VIP program. It also asks whether VIP hosts are trained to develop personal relationships with clients specifically to encourage more gambling.

The Bryce Harper Controversy

Bryce Harper has denied any intentional involvement in FanDuel’s VIP promotion. The two-time National League MVP stated he is not affiliated with the sportsbook and believed he was simply fulfilling a Cameo request.

In a statement shared on his Instagram stories, Harper explained: “I joined Cameo to engage with fans through paid personalized videos. What happened here went beyond anything I knew about or approved. In November 2024, someone identifying themselves only as ‘Bryttanni’ submitted an order through Cameo for a personal ‘holiday video for Terry.’ Cameo had a separate category for business video requests, and at the time I did not know this video would be used for commercial purposes.”

He continued: “The request included a short script. I read it in good faith. FanDuel then put its own logo on the video and used it as a gambling promotion. I did not know FanDuel would do this, I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it. Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video.”

The incident has further fueled concerns among lawmakers that VIP programs may exploit both celebrities and vulnerable bettors.