FanDuel sent a video from star athlete Bryce Harper to a customer with a gambling problem

In Brief Posted: 11:50 AM PDT · July 9, 2026 Image Credits: Leo Patrizi / Getty Images Amanda Silberling FanDuel sent a video from star athlete Bryce Harper to a customer with a gambling problem FanDuel , a sports betting app, is being sued for allegedly using VIP perks to deepen customers’ gambling addictions. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer , Phillies star and two-time MLB MVP Bryce Harper sent a personalized video message to Terry Thompson, one of two plaintiffs in the case, as part of FanDuel’s special treatment for big spenders. FanDuel assigns VIP managers to build personal relationships with high rollers like Thompson, who has wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel since 2020. According to the lawsuit, he eventually took out a second and third mortgage on his home, lost it to foreclosure, and sought psychiatric treatment for gambling addiction. While these companies often woo their top customers with Super Bowl tickets and other perks, the Inquirer found no precedent for an active, star athlete like Harper sending this kind of personal message to a bettor. In the 21-second video, obtained by the Inquirer, Harper does not directly tell Thompson to gamble; however, he mentions that Thompson’s FanDuel host wanted to ensure that Thompson had an “extra special Thanksgiving.” The video calls into question the muddied relationship between professional athletes and gambling apps. MLB players are prohibited from gambling — two pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, were federally indicted last year for allegedly accepting bribes to fix pitches. However, the MLB partners extensively with sports books and prediction markets like Polymarket , and gambling apps are frequently advertised in ballparks and broadcasts. Topics Apps November 4 Boston Last chance to save up to $190 on TechCrunch Founder Summit. Join 1,000+ founders and VCs at all stages for real-world scaling insights and connections that move the needle. Savings end June 26, 11:59 p.m. PT . REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. StrictlyVC Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. No newsletters selected. Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . Related AI Google will now disclose which ads are made with AI Sarah Perez 9 minutes ago AI How did the government decide OpenAI’s frontier model was safe to release? Tim Fernholz 28 minutes ago Apps How to stop Meta’s AI image generator from using your Instagram photos Lauren Forristal 54 minutes ago Latest in Apps In Brief FanDuel sent a video from star athlete Bryce Harper to a customer with a gambling problem Amanda Silberling 17 seconds ago Apps How to stop Meta’s AI image generator from using your Instagram photos Lauren Forristal 54 minutes ago In Brief Block reaches $45M settlement with 46 states over Cash App fraud probe Aisha Malik 4 hours ago