The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said Friday it is examining a short video that FanDuel sent in 2024 to a VIP bettor who has publicly wrestled with a gambling addiction and that features Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper.
"We are aware of the situation and are reviewing it," Doug Harbach, a spokesman for the board, said Friday. "I can't comment beyond that at this juncture."
What regulators are looking at
The board, which oversees casinos, online gaming and sports wagering in Pennsylvania, did not say whether it has contacted FanDuel or Harper directly. The 21-second clip, obtained by The Inquirer, shows Harper greeting the bettor, Terry Thompson, and Thompson's son, and concludes with Harper thanking Thompson for his support. The clip carries FanDuel branding but Harper is not wearing FanDuel apparel.
ESPN reporter David Purdum first reported the board's interest. The Inquirer's reporting notes FanDuel obtained the video from Cameo, the online service that allows users to pay athletes and celebrities for personalized messages.
Background and immediate questions
Key factual points reported so far include:
- The video was sent in 2024 to a FanDuel VIP customer.
- The clip lasts about 21 seconds and features Harper addressing the customer and his son.
- FanDuel says it acquired the message from Cameo.
- Harper has not been shown to have a formal business relationship with FanDuel, and he declined comment through the Phillies.
The Inquirer’s reporting indicates the video was produced after a FanDuel VIP manager — identified in the clip as "your host Bryttanni at FanDuel" — requested an "extra special Thanksgiving" message for the bettor. The outlet said it could not find evidence Harper knew the recipient had a gambling addiction.
Regulatory and public stakes
The development raises questions about how sports-wagering operators identify and interact with high-value customers who may be experiencing harm. Under state regulations, operators are expected to follow responsible-gambling protocols, including practices for identifying vulnerable customers and limiting marketing that could encourage further unsafe play.
FanDuel has not publicly detailed how the company used Cameo content or whether it had safeguards in place before distributing the video to a known problem gambler. Cameo's terms of service, as cited by The Inquirer, state that talent retain discretion over how they fulfill requests, and celebrities may not follow purchaser instructions exactly.
What we still do not know
At this point officials have not disclosed whether the Gaming Control Board will open a formal investigation or issue any citations. The records do not show direct evidence that Harper had a paid endorsement deal with FanDuel, nor do they show Harper was aware of the recipient's addiction.
| Detail | Known fact |
|---|---|
| Length of video | About 21 seconds |
| Source of video | Obtained from Cameo by FanDuel, according to reporting |
| Subject of review | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board assessing the clip |
The case highlights ongoing tensions as professional sports, celebrity endorsements and sports-betting platforms intersect. For Pennsylvania — a state with a large regulated gaming market — the outcome could influence how operators use third-party content when communicating with VIP customers.
As the board's review continues, the public can expect follow-up reporting on whether regulators determine any violation of state rules and what changes, if any, operators like FanDuel will adopt to prevent similar incidents.
