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Congress Asks MLB to Take Action After Bryce Harper Betting Video: "This Is a Failure"
Lawmakers say the VIP promotion used by FanDuel could push bettors deeper into addiction and debt, and they want the league and union to change policy.
- On Monday, August 10, three members of Congress sent letters to Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and FanDuel demanding an end to policies allowing athletes to participate in "predatory" VIP sportsbook promotions.
- The demand followed reports that Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper recorded a personalized Cameo video in November 2024, which FanDuel subsequently used as a reward for Terry Thompson, a gambler who lost $1.5 million.
- Harper stated he recorded the message in good faith, unaware of the sportsbook's intent, while Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Paul Tonko, and Congresswoman Valerie Foushee labeled the incident a "systemic failure" rooted in league-sportsbook ties.
- The elected officials issued an August 24 deadline for MLB, the MLBPA, and FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski to answer five questions, including how they will prioritize fan safety over gambling revenue.
- These demands arrive amid collective bargaining negotiations set to expire December 1, though the MLBPA has publicly signaled an intention to seek greater freedom for players to pursue relationships with gambling companies.
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The News-GazetteLawmakers target MLB's sportsbook deals after Bryce Harper video used by FanDuel to thank gambling addict
Three members of Congress sent a letter on Monday to Major League Baseball and the players union requesting that they tighten policies so an incident last month involving Bryce Harper, FanDuel and an admitted gambling addict cannot reoccur. Harper, an…
·Oil City, United States
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Lawmakers target MLB’s sportsbook deals after Bryce Harper video used by FanDuel to thank gambling addict
Three Congress members demanded MLB and the players union tighten gambling endorsement rules after FanDuel used a Bryce Harper video to target an addicted bettor.
·El Segundo, United States
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Congress members demand MLB bar players from gambling endorsements in wake of Bryce Harper video
Some U.S. lawmakers are calling on Major League Baseball to bar players from being in gambling endorsements after Phillies slugger Bryce Harper recorded a video that FanDuel later sent to a man with a gambling addiction.
·Philadelphia, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 40%
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