Key Takeaways
- Bryce Harper says he never gave FanDuel permission to use his Cameo video in a gambling promotion.
- The video was sent to a FanDuel VIP customer who is suing the sportsbook over its treatment of problem gamblers.
- Pennsylvania regulators are reviewing the incident, and Harper is reportedly considering legal action.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper says FanDuel used a personalized Cameo video he recorded without his knowledge or permission. The video was reportedly given to a VIP customer who claims he lost more than $1.5 million through gambling.
Harper shared his response on Instagram before MLB All-Star festivities. He said FanDuel violated his trust by turning a personal fan message into a gambling promotion.
Harper Says He Was Misled
Harper explained that he received a Cameo request in November 2024 from someone identified only as “Bryttanni.” The message asked him to wish a fan named Terry a happy Thanksgiving and mention Terry’s son, Max.
Believing it was a normal fan request, Harper recorded the video and added a personal message.
He later learned that the recipient was a FanDuel VIP customer and that FanDuel had added its logo to the video before using it as a reward.
“I read it in good faith,” Harper said. He added that he never agreed to let FanDuel use the video as part of a gambling promotion.
Harper also said he has never had a sponsorship or endorsement deal with FanDuel.
The VIP Bettor at the Center of the Case
The video was sent to Terry Thompson, a FanDuel VIP customer who is now suing the sportsbook.
According to the lawsuit, Thompson lost more than $1.5 million while using FanDuel. He claims the sportsbook’s VIP program encouraged him to keep gambling through special perks, including Super Bowl trips, hotel stays, and betting offers.
The lawsuit also says FanDuel VIP manager Bryttanni Morgan submitted the Cameo request that Harper completed.
Harper is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The video is simply one of several rewards Thompson says he received through the VIP program.
How the Cameo Video Was Used, and Regulators Get Involved
Reports say FanDuel has a partnership with Cameo that allows sportsbook employees to buy celebrity videos for VIP customers.
Cameo separates personal fan messages from business or commercial requests. Harper said he did not know his video would be treated as a commercial promotion or that Cameo had a relationship with FanDuel.
The incident has raised questions about whether celebrities are clearly told when their videos could be used in marketing or gambling promotions.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has opened a review of the incident.
State regulators are looking into how the video was obtained and used. FanDuel had not publicly responded to Harper’s statement at the time of reporting.
The case adds more attention to FanDuel’s VIP program and how sportsbooks reward their biggest customers.
What’s Next
Harper is considering legal action against FanDuel over the use of his name and likeness.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s review could lead to further action if regulators find FanDuel broke any rules.
The controversy also puts more focus on sportsbook VIP programs and whether companies are doing enough to protect people with gambling problems while using celebrity promotions responsibly.
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