Lawmakers Seek More Info After FanDuel’s “Incomplete” Answer on VIP Program

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and US Reps. Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Valerie P. Foushee (D-NC) want more information on how FanDuel operates its invite-only VIP program, as they found the sportsbook’s responses to their earlier questions insufficient. What Did Lawmakers Ask in the First Inquiry? The inquiry follows FanDuel’s 2024 decision to send one of its VIP customers a personalized video message from Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper. The man who received the video alleges in a legal filing against the sportsbook that he lost more than $1.5 million gambling through its mobile app. Further adding to the scandal, FanDuel allegedly used Harper’s video without his consent. The three lawmakers previously sent letters to FanDuel, MLB, and the MLB Players Association on August 10, calling on baseball to ban promotional partnerships with betting companies, including FanDuel, in the wake of the Bryce Harper controversy. They posed eight questions, including whether FanDuel plans to suspend or terminate its VIP program. In addition, the letter sought information on whether VIP hosts are trained to develop personal relationships with customers in an effort to encourage them to gamble more. In an August 14 response to the lawmakers, FanDuel said it remained committed to being “transparent and cooperative.” The company also said it spent $158 million on responsible gaming initiatives in 2025 and conducts thorough reviews of customers’ accounts before granting them access to its VIP program. However, FanDuel did not directly address several of the questions raised by Blumenthal, Foushee, and Tonko. What Does the New Letter Say? Dissatisfied with the answers they got, the three lawmakers sent another letter to FanDuel, dated September 3. According to the new letter, FanDuel had failed to substantively respond to the trio’s congressional inquiry and had provided misleading and incomplete information about its VIP services and perks. They said they remained unconvinced that the sportsbook was taking active steps to protect bettors from harmful gambling and instead appeared to be promoting addiction, according to the letter. The letter also said that FanDuel had failed to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to its customers’ well-being by imposing limits on what the lawmakers described as exploitative and dangerous marketing and business practices. It added that if the company genuinely cared about its customers, it would be transparent with Congress about its business practices and end the alleged exploitative tactics. FanDuel has not yet responded to the new letter. In other news about the company, it recently added new sports betting products and features in time for the upcoming NFL season.