The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) said earlier this week that it would support banning players from participating in personalized marketing campaigns for sportsbook VIP programs following last month's controversy involving FanDuel and Philadelphia Phillies player Bryce Harper.
Key Takeaways
- The MLBPA responded to an inquiry from members of Congress about the use of athletes in personalized content for sportsbooks' VIP programs.
- The union said it supports the idea of banning athletes from appearing in marketing content for VIP programs.
- A former FanDuel VIP customer sued the sportsbook, alleging it exploited his gambling addiction by sending him a personalized video from Harper.
The incident received congressional scrutiny, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal and House Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee writing a letter to MLB and the MLBPA expressing concern about players participating in personalized marketing campaigns that could potentially drive “vulnerable fans into debt and addiction.”
The lawmakers demanded MLB, the MLBPA, and FanDuel take corrective action after learning that a video of Harper was sent, through a Cameo requested by FanDuel, to a VIP customer in 2024 who later sued the sportsbook, alleging it had taken advantage of his gambling addiction.
“Despite clear harms that VIP programs pose to bettors, MLB and MLBPA continue to disregard fan safety by permitting partnerships with sportsbooks operating these programs. We demand an immediate end to this policy. MLB and the MLBPA must not allow players, regardless of their level of awareness, to legitimize sportsbook VIP programs designed to exploit the most vulnerable fans,” the letter reads.
The MLBPA reportedly responded Monday, with general counsel Jeffrey Perconte saying the union could add restrictions on players’ involvement in sportsbook VIP promotions to its next collective bargaining agreement with MLB, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The current agreement between the MLBPA and MLB allows players to work with gambling operators as long as they do not promote betting on baseball. The union has separately proposed that MLB and the MLBPA jointly pursue restrictions on proposition bets and player-performance event contracts, though MLB has not agreed to that proposal.
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FanDuel defends responsible gambling measures
FanDuel also responded to the Congress members in its own letter dated Aug. 14. The sportsbook operator defended its VIP programs, saying they follow the same responsible gambling framework it employs across all U.S. states where it operates.
FanDuel said its VIP hosts are salaried and their compensation is not tied to customers’ wagering results. The company also said it considers factors including previous VIP activity, fraud, chargebacks, and promotional abuse when reviewing customers.
VIP hosts also receive additional responsible gambling training and can discuss tools that allow customers to manage their betting activity.
FanDuel emphasized its responsible gambling measures in its response, pointing to its parent company Flutter Entertainment’s $158 million in responsible gambling spending last year.
