Congress demands MLB ban betting promos after Harper video targets gambling addict
Lawmakers call on baseball to prohibit player promotional deals with sportsbooks following FanDuel's use of a personalized Bryce Harper video to target a VIP gambler.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 11 items across 3 sources · 3h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
Three members of Congress—Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee—sent a letter to MLB and the players' union demanding a ban on promotional deals between players and betting operators, after FanDuel sent a personalized Camoe video featuring Bryce Harper to a customer with gambling addiction in November 2024. Harper denied knowledge of how FanDuel would use the video; lawmakers argue current MLB rules allow players to create personalized content that sportsbooks exploit to target vulnerable fans, and the issue is urgent amid ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
- Congressional members sent a formal letter demanding MLB and the players' union ban promotional deals between players and betting operators after FanDuel used a personalized Bryce Harper video to target a customer with severe gambling addiction.
- Harper denied prior knowledge of how FanDuel would use the Camoe video, stating he recorded it believing it was for fan engagement, not commercial gambling promotion.
- Current MLB rules allow players to make promotional deals with sportsbooks as long as they don't directly authorize use of their name, image, or likeness to advertise betting—a loophole lawmakers say enables predatory targeting of vulnerable fans.
- The controversy overlaps with ongoing MLB-MLBPA collective bargaining negotiations, where the union has reportedly sought to loosen restrictions on player betting endorsements, creating pressure from both Congress and public concern about gambling addiction.
How it unfolded
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Coverage notes that the MLBPA has expressed interest in removing restrictions on player betting endorsements during ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations, creating potential conflict with congressional demands.
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Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Paul Tonko, and Rep. Valerie Foushee send a letter to Major League Baseball and the players' union demanding an end to MLB and MLBPA policies that allow promotional deals with betting operators. The letter calls the use of personalized player content to target vulnerable fans a 'failure' and asks for responses by August 24.
“We write to demand an end to the MLB and MLBPA policies that enabled this type of predatory promotion.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Valerie Foushee · Google News ↗ -
Major League Baseball and the players' union decline comment when reached by ESPN regarding the congressional letter.
- 4 weeks quiet
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Hours before the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, Harper addresses the story on Instagram, claiming he recorded the video for Camoe as a fan engagement tool and did not know FanDuel would use it for commercial purposes or add its logo for a gambling promotion.
“Had I known FanDuel's true intent, I would not have made the video.”
Bryce Harper · Google News ↗ -
The Philadelphia Inquirer publishes a story about a man who claims he lost around $1.5 million on FanDuel bets due to gambling addiction and that FanDuel sent him a personalized video message from Harper.
- 88 weeks quiet
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FanDuel sends a personalized Camoe video featuring Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper to a customer identified as a VIP gambler. The video names the bettor, acknowledges his son, and thanks him for his support.
What people are saying verbatim
“We write to demand an end to the MLB and MLBPA policies that enabled this type of predatory promotion.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Valerie Foushee, Members of Congress · ESPN ↗ · Aug 9
“Cameo had a separate category for business video requests, and at the time I did not know this video would be used for commercial purposes.”
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies player · NBC10 Philadelphia ↗ · Jul 12
“Had I known FanDuel's true intent, I would not have made the video.”
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies player · NBC10 Philadelphia ↗ · Jul 12
“FanDuel is committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming and protecting our customers.”
FanDuel spokesperson, Sportsbook company · NBC10 Philadelphia ↗ · Jul 12
“This is a failure that Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association must confront directly, especially as both are in the midst of renegotiating their collective bargaining agreement.”
Congressional letter, Members of Congress · ESPN ↗ · Aug 9
“In November 2024, FanDuel sent a Cameo video featuring Harper to a VIP customer. The bettor later sued the sportsbook, claiming it had taken advantage of his gambling addiction.”
ESPN, Sports news outlet · ESPN / Bluesky ↗ · Aug 9