FanDuel Leveraged Star Athlete in Outreach to Problem Gambler

FanDuel reportedly sent a personalized video from Phillies player Bryce Harper to a customer identified as a problem gambler. The customer had wagered $18.5 million and lost $1.5 million on the platform, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

What Happened

A report from The Philadelphia Inquirer detailed that FanDuel utilized a personalized video message from Philadelphia Phillies player, Bryce Harper, targeting an online gambler (Fox News). The video was sent directly to customer Terry Thompson by his FanDuel VIP manager, Brittney “Bryttanni” Tice, (The Philadelphia Inquirer). In the video, Harper extended Thanksgiving greetings, acknowledged Thompson’s young son, and expressed gratitude for his prolonged support (Fox News).

Thompson was identified as a problem gambler, having wagered $18.5 million and incurred losses of $1.5 million on the FanDuel platform (Fox News). Despite these metrics, FanDuel reportedly provided Thompson with VIP treatment, including champagne and Super Bowl tickets (Fox News). A FanDuel spokesperson, in a statement to OutKick, asserted the company’s commitment to responsible gaming, noting that employees are trained to identify and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources (Fox News).

Key Details

• FanDuel sent a personalized video from Bryce Harper to customer Terry Thompson (Fox News).
• Terry Thompson had wagered $18.5 million and lost $1.5 million on FanDuel, identifying as a problem gambler (Fox News).
• The video was delivered by Thompson’s FanDuel VIP manager (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
• FanDuel reportedly provided Thompson with VIP treatment, including tickets to the Super Bowl and champagne (Fox News).
• A FanDuel spokesperson stated the company trains employees to recognize problem gambling and offers resources (Fox News).

Why It Matters

This incident reportedly highlights the practical implications of corporate partnerships between sportsbooks, leagues, and athletes, especially concerning responsible gaming practices (Fox News). The use of a prominent athlete in direct communication with a customer identified as a problem gambler raises questions about the efficacy of existing consumer protection initiatives within the regulated sports betting market (Fox News).

The situation also draws attention to ongoing discussions regarding the Major League Baseball Players Association’s (MLBPA) stance on sportsbook revenues and player endorsement deals (Fox News). While the MLBPA has sought clarity on such deals and expressed concerns about player harassment from bettors, the documented interaction with Thompson suggests a potential misalignment between stated intentions and operational realities in player endorsements (Fox News).

Originally reported by Fox News·Published 9 Jul 2026, 18:52