FanDuel sent video from athlete Bryce Harper to customer with gambling problem
Sports betting app FanDuel is being sued for allegedly using VIP perks to deepen customers’ gambling addictions. The incident involves star athlete Bryce Harper sending a video message to a customer identified as having a gambling problem.
Sports betting application FanDuel faces a lawsuit alleging the company used its VIP program to exacerbate customers' gambling addictions. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Phillies star and two-time MLB MVP Bryce Harper sent a personalized video message to Terry Thompson, one of two plaintiffs in the suit, as part of FanDuel's high-roller treatment.
FanDuel reportedly assigns VIP managers to cultivate personal relationships with significant bettors like Thompson, who has allegedly wagered $18.5 million on the platform since 2020. The lawsuit claims Thompson subsequently took out second and third mortgages on his home, leading to foreclosure and requiring psychiatric treatment for his gambling addiction.
The 21-second video, obtained by the Inquirer, does not explicitly encourage Thompson to gamble. However, Harper mentions that Thompson's FanDuel host wanted to ensure Thompson had an "extra special Thanksgiving." This situation highlights the complex relationship between professional athletes and gambling platforms.
The case raises questions about the intersection of professional sports and the gambling industry. While Major League Baseball prohibits its players from betting and has investigated instances of alleged betting-related misconduct, the league also partners extensively with sportsbooks. Gambling advertisements are frequently featured in ballparks and during game broadcasts.