Blumenthal, Tonko, & Foushee Slam FanDuel for Misleading & Incomplete Response to Inquiry About Promo VIdeo Targeting Gambling Addict

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) today demanded answers after FanDuel refused to adequately respond to the lawmakers' questions about disturbing reports that the sportsbook repeatedly targeted problem gamblers with predatory perks to keep them trapped in their addiction, including with a personal message from Philadelphia Phillies first baseman, Bryce Harper. Last month, the lawmakers wrote to FanDuel, Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) demanding answers about the policies that enabled this predatory promotion.

In a follow-up letter sent today to FanDuel Chief Executive Officer Christian Genetski, the lawmakers called out the sportsbook for providing "misleading and incomplete" responses to their initial inquiry and for failing to adequately address its exploitative VIP services and perks.

"We remain unconvinced that FanDuel is making an active effort to protect bettors from harmful gambling and instead appears to be promoting addiction. We demand real answers to our previous letter and for FanDuel to explain this complete failure to respond to significant matters of public interest," the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers continued, "In its August 14th response, FanDuel failed to answer our questions about the specific steps taken to vet and monitor VIP activities, the extent to which VIP managers have encouraged problem gambling with other customers (including such videos), and any changes that it will make to its VIP program after this indefensible conduct."

The lawmakers continued, "Moreover, in its response, FanDuel fails to demonstrate any commitment to its customers' well-being through any meaningful limitations on exploitative and dangerous marketing and business practice. FanDuel also boasts of its work with state regulators to meet requirements for licensed sportsbooks and other state laws on gambling yet fails to mention how its prediction markets app, FanDuel Predicts, undermines the integrity of-if not bypasses-those very regulations. FanDuel's so-called 'commitment' to its customers rings especially hollow when it is pushing out harmful and addictive features such as VIP perks, constant push notifications, and personalized promotions."

The full text of the lawmakers' letter is available here and below. FanDuel's August 14 response to the lawmakers is available here. The lawmakers' initial letters to FanDuel, MLB, and MLBPA are available here.

Dear Mr. Genetski,

We write regarding FanDuel's failure to substantively answer our Congressional inquiry, and its misleading and incomplete responses regarding its exploitative VIP services and perks. We remain unconvinced that FanDuel is making an active effort to protect bettors from harmful gambling and instead appears to be promoting addiction. We demand real answers to our previous letter and for FanDuel to explain this complete failure to respond to significant matters of public interest.

On August 10, 2026, we wrote to FanDuel after reports that a VIP manager had repeatedly targeted a problem gambler with predatory perks to keep him trapped in his addiction, including a personal message from Bryce Harper. In its August 14^th response, FanDuel failed to answer our questions about the specific steps taken to vet and monitor VIP activities, the extent to which VIP managers have encouraged problem gambling with other customers (including such videos), and any changes that it will make to its VIP program after this indefensible conduct.

Moreover, in its response, FanDuel fails to demonstrate any commitment to its customers' well-being through any meaningful limitations on exploitative and dangerous marketing and business practice. FanDuel also boasts of its work with state regulators to meet requirements for licensed sportsbooks and other state laws on gambling yet fails to mention how its prediction markets app, FanDuel Predicts, undermines the integrity of-if not bypasses-those very regulations. FanDuel's so-called "commitment" to its customers rings especially hollow when it is pushing out harmful and addictive features such as VIP perks, constant push notifications, and personalized promotions.

If FanDuel truly cared about its customers, it would be transparent to Congress about its business practices and put an end to these exploitative tactics. In light of FanDuel's inadequate response, we demand that you provide a written response to the questions listed in our previous letter, no later than September 17^th, 2026.

1. What measures does FanDuel take to absolutely ensure that bettors are not suffering from financial hardships or a gambling addiction prior to enticing further gambling?
2. What steps has FanDuel taken to monitor interactions between managers and VIPs to ensure that managers are not offering predatory offers to problem gamblers?
3. How many VIP bettors have attempted to cut back their betting activity or close their accounts but were instead offered exclusive perks or offers? How many decided to keep betting after such offers?
4. Does FanDuel ever target VIP promotions and perks to bettors who are on a losing streak or appear to be cutting back on wagering?
5. How many times have VIP managers sent videos from players or other celebrities to a member in order to keep them engaged in gambling on the platform, and were those players made aware of the purpose of those videos?
6. Does FanDuel ever coach or train its VIP managers to develop personal relationships with their clients in order to encourage more gambling?
7. What specific factors does FanDuel consider when identifying "potentially problematic behaviors" and why has this allowed FanDuel to use its VIP program to encourage destructive gambling?
8. In light of the clear dangers posed by FanDuel's VIP program to problem gamblers, will FanDuel suspend or terminate this program?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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