Bryce Harper Says FanDuel Misused His Cameo Video to Promote Gambling to Addiction Victim

Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper has denied authorizing FanDuel to use a personalized video message in a promotional campaign targeting a customer with severe gambling addiction. Harper said he filmed the 21-second Cameo video as an innocent holiday greeting and was unaware the sportsbook company would brand it with its logo and deploy it as a gambling incentive.

How the Video Surfaced

The video came to light after the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that FanDuel had sent the personalized message to Terry Thompson, a customer who had wagered $18.5 million with the platform and developed a severe gambling dependency. Thompson received the footage in November 2024 as what FanDuel marketed as a VIP reward. In the video, Harper addresses Thompson by name, acknowledges his young son, and thanks him for his support—all while FanDuel's branding appears on screen.

Harper explained that in November 2024, he received a video request on Cameo—a platform where celebrities film personalized messages for paying customers—from someone identified as "Bryttanni." The script provided suggested Harper wish Thompson a happy Thanksgiving and mention the customer's son. Harper said he read the script in good faith, unaware of any connection to gambling promotion or the customer's addiction status.

Harper's Public Response

In a statement released on his Instagram account ahead of Major League Baseball's All-Star activities, Harper addressed the controversy directly. "What happened here went beyond anything I knew about or approved," he stated. "I read the script in good faith. FanDuel then put its own logo on the video and used it as a gambling promotion. I did not know FanDuel would do this, I did not consent to it."

Harper emphasized that he has no affiliation with FanDuel, which operates as an official betting partner of Major League Baseball. He stressed that he had no knowledge the video would be repurposed for commercial purposes or directed at a person struggling with gambling addiction.

Regulatory and Legal Context

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has initiated a review of the incident, according to ESPN. Thompson and another plaintiff are pursuing legal action against multiple sportsbooks, including FanDuel, alleging the companies use VIP services and promotional tactics to intentionally encourage problem gamblers to continue wagering. Thompson's lawsuit claims his FanDuel VIP manager, Bryttanni Morgan, offered escalating perks—including free Super Bowl tickets and hotel accommodations—to sustain his gambling activity even as his losses exceeded $1.5 million.

The incident raises questions about how closely professional athletes can interact with gambling companies, a relationship that has grown significantly since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized state sports betting in 2018. Major League Baseball maintains policies intended to preserve distance between players and betting operations, though explicit prohibitions on celebrity interactions with VIP bettors have not been clearly defined.