Bryce Harper Distances Himself From FanDuel Cameo Controversy

By Bill Speros

Jul 13th, 2026 4:47 PM EDT

(Imagn Images)

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper Monday said a personalized Cameo video that landed in the hands of a FanDuel VIP customer was never intended to be used as part of a sportsbook promotion. That adds another layer to the growing scrutiny surrounding sportsbook VIP programs.

Harper posted a statement on social media explaining that he recorded the Cameo in November 2024 after receiving what he believed was a standard fan request through the platform. Harper wrote:

I joined Cameo to engage with fans through paid personalized videos. What happened here went beyond anything I knew about or approved.

According to Harper, the request came from someone identified only as "Bryttanni" for a holiday message to a man named Terry. Harper contends he did not know the request had any ties to FanDuel, believing it a personal Cameo. Cameo has a separate category for business requests that this person did not use, Harper said.

Two plaintiffs, including Terry Thompson, filed a lawsuit earlier this year against FanDuel, DraftKings and other sportsbook operators. The suit names Bryttanni Morgan, a FanDuel employee, as a defendant.

Harper alleges FanDuel later added its logo to the video and used it in connection with one of its VIP customers without his permission. Harper said:

I did not know FanDuel would do this, I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it.

Gaming regulators in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts (where FanDuel operates) remain aware of the video.

"The Commission is aware of the matter. This situation involves a Pennsylvania patron. We maintain a close working relationship with other jurisdictions," MGC spokesman Thomas Mills told bookies.com. "The MGC is looking into VIP programs as a whole. This project has been moving along, and an update could be placed on an agenda as early as this fall."

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission meets Thursday in a previously scheduled meeting and could raise the matter as soon as that time. Based on past actions, the Commission could ask that FanDuel testify or issue a written statement explaining how the video came to be and how it ended up going to a customer that who add accumulated more than $1 million in losses, according to court documents.

VIP Programs Under The Microscope

The recipient of the Cameo was Terry Thompson, one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed earlier this year against FanDuel, DraftKings and other sportsbook operators. Thompson claims sportsbooks used VIP programs and personalized incentives to encourage excessive wagering, particularly on microbetting markets.

According to court filings, Thompson says he wagered approximately $18.5 million through FanDuel, losing more than $1.5 million before developing what he describes as a gambling addiction. His lawsuit alleges sportsbook VIP hosts cultivated relationships with high-value bettors through gifts and exclusive experiences.

Harper said he had no knowledge of Thompson's circumstances.

Another Spotlight On Sportsbook VIP Practices

The incident comes as sportsbook VIP programs continue to receive increased legal and regulatory attention across the U.S. Critics argue personalized rewards, gifts and exclusive experiences can encourage at-risk gamblers to continue betting, while operators maintain that VIP programs are accompanied by responsible gaming safeguards.

FanDuel said in a statement following reports about the Cameo video that it is committed to responsible gaming and that employees are trained to identify signs of problem gambling while offering customers tools and resources. The company also said it continues to strengthen its consumer protection policies.

Multiple FanDuel sources told Bookies.com they were unaware that the operator sent Cameo videos to VIP clients, and that the people who would have authorized such a action are no longer with the company.

Harper did nothing illegal. But his statement underscores a challenge facing sportsbooks when it comes to promotional materials involving athletes and celebrities. The promotional material faces further scrutiny and demands transparency.

The controversy also serves as a reminder that even seemingly routine fan engagement tools like Cameo can become part of larger debates surrounding sportsbook marketing, VIP treatment and responsible gaming.

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