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Three members of Congress have renewed pressure on FanDuel over its VIP sports betting program, saying the operator’s earlier response did not fully address questions about customer protection and gambling-related harm.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul D. Tonko and Valerie P. Foushee sent a new letter to FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski, asking the company to answer eight questions by Sept. 17. The lawmakers said they remain concerned that FanDuel’s VIP practices may incentivize harmful betting behavior rather than identify and protect at-risk customers.
Lawmakers say FanDuel’s prior response was incomplete
The latest letter follows an earlier August inquiry tied to the case of bettor Terry Thompson, who reportedly lost more than $1.8 million through sports betting and considered suicide earlier this year. The dispute began after a FanDuel VIP manager sent Thompson a personalized video from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper in 2024 as a VIP reward.
In the new letter, the lawmakers said FanDuel appears to be promoting addiction and demanded fuller answers on how the company handles responsible gaming within its VIP program. Their questions focus on how FanDuel identifies signs of financial hardship or gambling addiction, how it monitors conversations between VIP managers and customers, and how VIP staff are trained.
They also asked whether FanDuel targets VIP promotions to customers on losing streaks or to people who may already be trying to reduce their betting.
FanDuel previously said it spent $158 million on responsible gaming during 2025 and reviews customers’ betting histories before granting VIP status. Company spokesperson Cory Fox said FanDuel is committed to operating in an accountable and transparent manner and described its sportsbook as an entertainment product meant to be enjoyed over the long run.
Inquiry expands to FanDuel Predicts
The congressional scrutiny now also reaches FanDuel Predicts, the company’s prediction market product. According to the report, lawmakers argued that sports-related contracts may conflict with existing gambling oversight and could undermine regulations that apply to licensed sportsbooks.
That adds another layer to the case, because prediction markets fall under federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight, while state officials have also challenged whether sports-related contracts should be treated under state gambling laws.
What to watch next
The immediate date to watch is Sept. 17, the deadline for FanDuel to respond to the lawmakers’ eight questions. Separately, the MLB Players Association has said it would support banning players from promotional work for sportsbook VIP programs in the next collective bargaining agreement, which expires Dec. 1.
For players, the story is less about product changes today and more about how aggressively operators are expected to monitor VIP programs, personalized promotions, and signs of gambling harm.
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Source: As reported by news.worldcasinodirectory.com.
