Bryce Harper video to FanDuel user with gambling addiction under review by Pennsylvania officials
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is reviewing a video from Bryce Harper to a FanDuel bettor who claims to have struggled with a gambling addiction.Reports say FanDuel acquired the video through Cameo, where the Philadelphia Phillies star charges $899, and sent it to Terry Thompson.Thompson lost $1.5 million gambling, resulting in the foreclosure of his home. He hid his addiction from his loved ones and planned to take his own life, but instead "voluntarily placed himself into a psychiatric facility where he stayed for six days," where he was "formally diagnosed with a gambling addiction disorder."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMHowever, a lawsuit filed by Thompson says FanDuel and DraftKings enabled his gambling addiction through "promotional offers and gifts."Thompson accuses his FanDuel VIP host, Bryttani Morgan, of offering Super Bowl tickets, accommodations and other luxuries in an effort to keep him gambling on the online sportsbook. The Harper video is not mentioned in the suit."We are aware of the situation and are reviewing it," Doug Harbach, a spokesperson for the board, said Friday, via PennLive. "I can’t comment beyond that at this juncture."Thompson's lawsuit admits that Morgan suggested "we...[take] a timeout" after a rough stretch, but alleges she shortly afterward got in touch with him about an "emergency."The emergency in question? "FanDuel’s offer of yet another Super Bowl gift package that included two tickets for Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, free hotel accommodations, two tickets to a FanDuel Super Bowl party, two tickets to a Sports Illustrated Super Bowl party, and free transportation during Super Bowl weekend," the suit states."Thereafter, Plaintiff Thompson continued to lose large sums of money on the FanDuel Sportsbook App, and Defendant Morgan continued to supply him with free tickets to Philadelphia sporting events and free betting credits to ensure that he would do so."FORMER SAVANNAH BANANAS PLAYER NAMED MLB ALL-STAR HOURS AFTER HITTING FOR CYCLE AS A ROOKIEFanDuel did not respond to an email from Fox News Digital requesting comment about the gaming board's review, but it said it is "committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming and protecting our customers.""Unlike illegal offshore sportsbooks, FanDuel employees are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources and tools, and we continue to review and strengthen our policies to ensure we have the industry’s strongest consumer protection initiatives," a FanDuel spokesperson said to Fox News Digital.When asked by Fox News Digital whether Thompson was offered "resources and tools" to combat his addiction, one of his attorneys pointed to the aforementioned suggested "break."Harper does not have an endorsement deal with FanDuel and has not commented publicly on the situation.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.