Lawmakers Press MLB to Restrict Sportsbook Promotions After Bryce Harper Gambling Video

WASHINGTON: Three U.S. lawmakers are pressing MLB and its players’ union to restrict sportsbook promotions after scrutiny of a Bryce Harper gambling video sent to a FanDuel VIP customer. The request puts new pressure on baseball’s betting policies as MLB and the union negotiate their next collective bargaining agreement.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Reps. Paul Tonko of New York and Valerie Foushee of North Carolina sent a letter Monday calling for changes to policies that allow players to enter promotional arrangements with betting operators. MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association have been asked to respond by Aug. 24.

Bryce Harper Gambling Video Prompts Congressional Scrutiny

The lawmakers said current MLB rules can allow personalized player content to be used in sportsbook marketing even when it does not explicitly encourage wagering on baseball. “We write to demand an end to the MLB and MLBPA policies that enabled this type of predatory promotion”, the letter states.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, baseball players can enter promotional deals with betting operators within certain limits. Players cannot authorize the use of their name, uniform number, image or likeness to advertise, promote or encourage betting for or against a baseball game or event.

The lawmakers argue those restrictions do not go far enough to prevent player content from being used to encourage continued gambling by vulnerable customers. “This is a failure that Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) must confront directly, especially as both are in the midst of renegotiating their collective bargaining agreement”, they wrote.

Harper Says He Did Not Know How FanDuel Would Use Video

The congressional pressure follows scrutiny over a personalized video featuring Bryce Harper that FanDuel sent to VIP customer Terry Thompson in November 2024. FanDuel obtained the recording through Cameo, a platform that allows users to request personalized videos from celebrities.

Thompson later sued FanDuel and DraftKings in Philadelphia, alleging the sportsbooks took advantage of his gambling addiction. According to allegations in the lawsuit, Thompson wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel and lost about $1.5 million, while also suffering losses through DraftKings. The allegations have not been proven in court.

In the video, Harper addressed Thompson by name and referred to his young son. Harper later said he believed he was responding to a personal Cameo request and did not know the recording would be used as part of a FanDuel VIP promotion.

“Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video”, Harper said in July. He added that he would not have participated had he known about Thompson’s circumstances or any alleged partnership between Cameo and FanDuel.

MLB and Players’ Union Face Aug. 24 Deadline

The lawmakers’ letter ends with five questions for MLB and the MLBPA about sportsbook promotions, player endorsements and protections for vulnerable bettors. Responses are requested by Aug. 24, giving the league and union a near-term deadline to explain whether they intend to change the current rules.

The issue comes as MLB and the players’ union negotiate their next collective bargaining agreement. The MLBPA has also shown interest in changing gambling-related provisions during those talks, including restrictions involving bets tied to individual players.

MLB and the MLBPA declined to comment on the new letter. No rule change has been announced, and the lawmakers’ request does not itself prohibit players from working with sportsbooks.

The next development will depend on how MLB and the union respond by the Aug. 24 deadline and whether restrictions on player sportsbook promotions become part of the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.

RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling