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Three members of Congress are pressing Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association to change policies that allow betting-company promotional partnerships, after Bryce Harper said a Cameo video he recorded was later used in a FanDuel gambling promotion without his approval.
According to the lawmakers’ letter, current MLB and MLBPA rules can allow personalized player content to be turned into gambling marketing that may put vulnerable fans at risk. The letter asks the league and union to respond by Aug. 24.
Lawmakers target MLB betting-promotion rules
The letter says MLB and the MLBPA should end policies that enabled the Harper-FanDuel incident and address the issue as the league and union negotiate their next collective bargaining agreement.
The lawmakers also asked five questions covering sportsbook endorsements, fan safety, predatory VIP programs, player education, and personalized sportsbook marketing campaigns.
MLB’s current betting partners include MGM Resorts International, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, and prediction market partner Polymarket. The current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, 2026.
What Harper said about the FanDuel video
Harper said he did not know and did not consent to the video being used to promote FanDuel’s betting platform. In a statement cited by Covers, Harper said, “Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video.”
The original Cameo request was allegedly made in November 2024 by a user identified as “Bryttanni” for a “holiday video for Terry.” Harper also said FanDuel later added its logo and used the clip in a gambling promotion without his knowledge or approval.
What this means to watch next
The immediate date to watch is Aug. 24, the deadline for MLB and the MLBPA to answer lawmakers’ questions. A larger issue is whether sportsbook promotion rules for players become part of negotiations before the current MLB labor deal expires on Dec. 1, 2026.
For bettors, the story is another sign that sportsbook marketing practices and responsible-gambling safeguards are facing closer scrutiny well beyond any single operator or league partnership.
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Source: As reported by Grant Mitchell.
