FanDuel Sent Bryce Harper Video to VIP Bettor Who Lost $1.5 Million

A Philadelphia Inquirer investigation found that FanDuel arranged a personalized Bryce Harper video for VIP customer Terry Thompson, who wagered $18.5 million and lost $1.5 million.

The video has sparked questions about active athletes appearing in sportsbook marketing and how operators treat high-volume bettors with gambling problems.

A VIP Program Under Scrutiny

A Philadelphia Inquirer investigation found that FanDuel arranged a personalized video from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper for Terry Thompson, one of the sportsbook’s top VIP customers. Thompson had wagered about $18.5 million on FanDuel and lost roughly $1.5 million while struggling with a gambling addiction.

The 21-second Thanksgiving message greeted Thompson by name and mentioned his young son. There is no evidence Harper knew anything about Thompson’s financial situation or gambling issues.

How Thompson Became a VIP

Thompson started betting during the 2020 NFL season after downloading the FanDuel app. He quickly became interested in microbets, which allow users to wager on individual plays during a game. Over time, his betting increased dramatically.

His high betting volume earned him FanDuel VIP benefits, including Super Bowl tickets, champagne, and a personal VIP host. According to the report, that host arranged the personalized Harper video while Thompson was facing serious financial concerns.

Experts Question Athlete Involvement, and Different Rules Across Sports

Several sports and gambling experts said they had never seen an active athlete involved in a sportsbook VIP program like this.

Author Danny Funt said retired athletes have worked with sportsbooks before, but an active superstar like Harper appearing in a personalized message for a VIP customer is highly unusual. Sports agent Leigh Steinberg also criticized the situation, saying he would advise his clients not to promote sportsbooks because it could be harmful to sports and fans.

The case also highlights how gambling rules differ between major sports leagues.

MLB allows players to appear in sportsbook advertisements or attend promotional events as long as they do not encourage betting on baseball. The NFL has stricter rules that ban players from promoting gambling. The NBA allows some gambling-related partnerships, but also prohibits players from encouraging bets on NBA games.

Although Harper’s video did not directly promote betting, experts say it was still used as part of FanDuel’s VIP program, raising ethical questions.

Harper’s Background

The report has drawn extra attention because Harper is one of baseball’s biggest stars and has many endorsement deals. He is also a practicing Mormon, and the Mormon faith discourages gambling and alcohol use.

There is no evidence Harper had an official partnership with FanDuel or was paid for making the video. Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, declined to comment. The Phillies and MLB also declined to comment, while the MLB Players Association did not respond.

Looking Ahead

The case comes as sportsbooks continue to expand VIP programs to keep high-spending customers engaged. Critics argue these programs can encourage people with gambling problems to keep betting even after suffering large losses.

The Harper video is likely to increase debate about the relationship between active athletes and sportsbooks. With MLB’s collective bargaining agreement set to expire later this year and regulators paying closer attention to responsible gambling, this case could influence future discussions about league rules and sportsbook marketing.