Congress Presses FanDuel Again Over VIP Program
Three Democratic members of Congress sent FanDuel a follow-up letter on September 3, 2026, demanding more detailed answers about the sportsbook's invite-only VIP program, after finding the company's earlier response to their questions insufficient. The letter — from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) — is the latest round in an inquiry that began last month.
What sparked the inquiry
The scrutiny traces back to a personalized promotional video FanDuel sent a Pennsylvania bettor who claims to have lost more than $1.5 million wagering on the platform. The video featured Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper. Harper has since said publicly that he did not know the video would be used this way and did not consent to it, stating FanDuel "had no right to do it."
FanDuel's VIP program is an invite-only tier for high-volume bettors, reportedly requiring around $25,000 in monthly wagers to qualify. Members are assigned a personal "VIP host" who offers perks and incentives. In its earlier response to Congress, FanDuel said host compensation isn't tied to how much a client wagers, and Senior VP of Public Policy and Sustainability Cory Fox said the company takes its responsibility to operate with "accountability, transparency, and trust" seriously, adding that hosts "proactively discuss" responsible gaming tools with members.
Why lawmakers say that wasn't enough
The lawmakers' new letter argues FanDuel's initial answers were vague and pressed the company with eight additional questions about how the VIP program operates. Their central claim is that VIP hosts use personal relationships to encourage increased betting among invited members. In their letter, the lawmakers wrote that FanDuel "fails to demonstrate any commitment to its customers' well-being through any meaningful limitations on exploitative and dangerous marketing and business practices."
Why it matters for bettors
Congress has no direct regulatory authority over how individual sportsbooks structure their loyalty programs — that oversight sits mostly with state gaming regulators — but sustained congressional attention can still shape the conversation around how operators market to their highest-volume customers, and has occasionally preceded state-level rule changes in other areas of gambling regulation. For any bettor, VIP or otherwise, the episode is a reminder that invite-only perks and personalized outreach are marketing tools, not signals that heavier wagering is being encouraged in your interest. See our responsible gambling resources for deposit and time-limit tools available at most licensed operators.