Pennsylvania regulators investigate Bryce Harper video tied to FanDuel
Updated: 6:22 PM EDT Jul 14, 2026
Pennsylvania regulators are investigating a video made by Phillies star Bryce Harper that was allegedly used by the gambling platform FanDuel to engage a customer who claimed to be struggling with a gambling addiction. You can view News 8 headlines in the video player above. Regulators review Harper videoThe video, first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, is a 21-second clip in which Harper says he is reaching out at the request of a FanDuel VIP host to wish the customer an “extra special Thanksgiving.”The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed to News 8 that it is reviewing the video. Lawsuit alleges VIP host encouraged bettingThe situation stems from a lawsuit filed in March by Terry Thompson, who alleged that FanDuel, DraftKings, the NFL, and other organizations caused him to develop a gambling addiction, leading to approximately $2 million in betting losses.The lawsuit claims that FanDuel’s VIP host contacted Thompson with promotional offers and gifts to encourage more wagering, which allegedly included the video from Harper. Video was reportedly made through CameoAccording to The Inquirer, the video was created through Cameo, a service where celebrities record paid messages. In the video, Harper says, “Hey, Terry? What’s up, brother? Your host from FanDuel wanted to make sure your Thanksgiving was extra special.” He concludes, “I appreciate all the support through the years and I just hope you have a great day,” while also mentioning Terry’s son. Harper addressed the situation on social media, stating, “I did not know FanDuel would do this. I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it. Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video. The same is true if I had known anything about Terry or his situation.” Questions remain over sportsbook promotionsHarper’s Cameo rates are $899 for individuals and $10,000 for businesses. The Inquirer reported that the video included a FanDuel watermark, seemingly added in post-production. The Phillies, Major League Baseball, the Players Association, and FanDuel have largely declined to comment. Under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, players are allowed to participate in promotions with sportsbooks, provided they do not authorize the use of their name, uniform number, image, or likeness to promote betting on baseball.
Pennsylvania regulators are investigating a video made by Phillies star Bryce Harper that was allegedly used by the gambling platform FanDuel to engage a customer who claimed to be struggling with a gambling addiction.
You can view News 8 headlines in the video player above.
Regulators review Harper video
The video, first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, is a 21-second clip in which Harper says he is reaching out at the request of a FanDuel VIP host to wish the customer an “extra special Thanksgiving.”
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed to News 8 that it is reviewing the video.
Lawsuit alleges VIP host encouraged betting
The situation stems from a lawsuit filed in March by Terry Thompson, who alleged that FanDuel, DraftKings, the NFL, and other organizations caused him to develop a gambling addiction, leading to approximately $2 million in betting losses.
The lawsuit claims that FanDuel’s VIP host contacted Thompson with promotional offers and gifts to encourage more wagering, which allegedly included the video from Harper.
Video was reportedly made through Cameo
According to The Inquirer, the video was created through Cameo, a service where celebrities record paid messages. In the video, Harper says, “Hey, Terry? What’s up, brother? Your host from FanDuel wanted to make sure your Thanksgiving was extra special.” He concludes, “I appreciate all the support through the years and I just hope you have a great day,” while also mentioning Terry’s son.
Harper addressed the situation on social media, stating, “I did not know FanDuel would do this. I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it. Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video. The same is true if I had known anything about Terry or his situation.”
Questions remain over sportsbook promotions
Harper’s Cameo rates are $899 for individuals and $10,000 for businesses. The Inquirer reported that the video included a FanDuel watermark, seemingly added in post-production.
The Phillies, Major League Baseball, the Players Association, and FanDuel have largely declined to comment. Under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, players are allowed to participate in promotions with sportsbooks, provided they do not authorize the use of their name, uniform number, image, or likeness to promote betting on baseball.