Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Jul 7, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper sits in the dugout before the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
If you’re reading this story, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a television or podcast advertisement for online sportsbooks such as FanDuel or DraftKings.
At the end of each of those ads, there’s always a message urging those with a gambling problem to call the local gambling hotline for help.
But do these sportsbooks really want gambling addicts to get help? If a new story involving FanDuel and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is any indication, it sure doesn’t seem that way.
FanDuel And Bryce Harper Allegedly Helped Fuel Gambling Addiction
Earlier this year, both Christopher Sage and Terry Thompson filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania that accuses the NFL of playing a role in the problematic habits they developed while gambling on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Now, we have a little more insight into Thompson’s issues thanks to a story from David Gambacorta of The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to Thompson, he lost $1.5 million betting with FanDuel, and all the while, the company encouraged him to keep betting more.
Not only did they assign him a VIP manager to work with him on his bets, but they also gave him exclusive perks such as bottles of champagne and Super Bowl tickets.
Among those perks was also a personalized video from Harper directed at both Thompson and his young son.
Terry Thompson lost $1.5 million on bets he placed with FanDuel.
The company gave him VIP treatment — including a personalized video message from the Phillies’ Bryce Harper. pic.twitter.com/YxTan16FH0
— Philadelphia Inquirer Sports (@phillysport) July 9, 2026
“I just wanted to hop on here and wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving,” Harper says in the video. “Tell (Thompson’s son) I said hello. I appreciate all the support through the years.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer reached out to Major League Baseball, Harper’s agent Scott Boras, and the Phillies about the video, but each declined to comment.
While the video does not break any rules, and FanDuel is not breaking any laws, both raise ethical questions.
“I’ve never heard of an active player, let alone a former MVP, doing something like this,” sports betting researcher Danny Funt said of the video.
Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes’ agent, Leigh Steinberg, shared similar sentiments, saying he’d advise his clients to avoid similar videos.
“It’s not good for your brand,” he said. “It’s exploitative, and it’s not the sort of activity you want to be associated with.”
Ironically, Harper himself does not gamble as part of his Mormon faith, which forbids doing so.