US lawmakers press FanDuel over celebrity videos sent to high-spending VIP customers
Three US lawmakers have given FanDuel until 20 October 2026 to supply about 30 personalised celebrity videos sent to high-spending customers, Casino.org reported on 9 October. They are asking whether VIP perks targeted people at risk of gambling harm.
South African players are not covered by US rules, and FanDuel is not a South African operator. The story is still a useful marker of how regulators and politicians are starting to question VIP schemes that reward heavy losing play with personal attention and gifts. Many offshore casinos that accept South African players run VIP programmes, and with no local licence for online casinos there is no South African body that supervises them.
What happened
Casino.org reported on 9 October 2026 that Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee have written to FanDuel. They want about 30 personalised celebrity videos sent to high-rolling customers, details of the gambling history of the recipients, and an explanation of how VIP targets were chosen. The deadline is 20 October.
The background
The report links the inquiry to a lawsuit by a former customer who says he wagered $18.5 million through FanDuel between 2020 and 2025 and lost about $1.5 million. According to the report, a baseball player recorded a short Thanksgiving greeting for him through a celebrity messaging service, arranged by his VIP manager. The player said he did not know it would be used as a promotion. These are allegations in a lawsuit, not findings.
FanDuel said on 24 September that it sent about 30 such videos over two years as thanks for loyalty, denied using them to encourage more betting, and said VIP staff are trained to spot signs of harm. It has said it does not plan to end the programme. The lawmakers also ask whether data used to spot problem gambling is used to target bonuses.
What it means for South African players
VIP gifts, personal account managers and bonuses are designed to keep customers playing. If you feel pressure to stay at a higher level or to chase a loss, that is a warning sign. Use the deposit limits and self-exclusion tools a site offers, and read our responsible gambling page for help lines.
We have not verified how any casino reviewed on this site runs its VIP scheme. Check the individual casino review for what we have documented.
What to watch next
Watch for FanDuel's reply on 20 October, any hearing or legislation that follows, and whether other US operators receive similar letters. The report does not say that any rule has changed.