TLDR A 2024 video of Bryce Harper made for FanDuel VIP bettor Terry Thompson has become public. Thompson is suing FanDuel and DraftKings, claiming their apps caused a gambling addiction that cost him $1.5 million. A FanDuel employee reportedly bought the video through Cameo, not as a paid endorsement deal. Gambling experts say the case raises questions about how sportsbooks use personal data to keep bettors engaged. Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board says it is reviewing the situation but has not commented further.
A video message from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has come to light as part of a Pennsylvania lawsuit against two major sports betting companies.
The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported on the clip Thursday. It shows Harper thanking FanDuel bettor Terry Thompson for his support and wishing him a happy Thanksgiving.
Thompson is now suing FanDuel and DraftKings. He claims the companies built apps that led to a gambling addiction, costing him more than $1.5 million.
Where the Video Came From
The video was made in 2024. Front Office Sports reported Friday that a FanDuel employee purchased it through Cameo, the platform where celebrities record paid personal messages.
Harper does not wear FanDuel branding in the clip. The company’s logo does appear at the bottom of the screen.
The Phillies said Harper would not comment on the video before Thursday’s game in Cincinnati.
Josh Ercole of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania said the video is not that different from ads athletes make for sportsbooks. Still, he said it raises a bigger question.
“Conversations need to be had,” Ercole said, adding that operators should use customer data to spot signs of gambling problems and step in.
Dr. Timothy Fong of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program said there is a gray area when athletes work