Bryce Harper says FanDuel used his Cameo video as VIP reward without consent in a gambler’s case

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper said helium did not cognize a Cameo video helium recorded would beryllium utilized by FanDuel arsenic a reward for a VIP lawsuit who aboriginal sued the sportsbook, saying it took vantage of his gambling addiction.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported past week that a instrumentality named Terry Thompson had wagered $18.5 cardinal with FanDuel and was yet rewarded with a personalized video from Harper.

In the video, Harper addressed the instrumentality by sanction and adjacent mentioned the man’s young son. Harper shared a screenshot Monday of the petition connected Cameo, an app that allows users to wage celebrities to grounds customized videos.

“Had I known FanDuel’s existent intent, I would not person made the video,” said Harper, a Las Vegas native. “The aforesaid is existent had I known thing astir Terry oregon his situation.”

The Inquirer reported Thompson mislaid $1.5 million, according to a suit that the Public Health Advocacy Institute filed successful March successful Common Pleas Court successful Philadelphia connected behalf of Thompson and against FanDuel and DraftKings. Thompson besides was reported to person mislaid wealth to DraftKings.

The video was marked with FanDuel’s logo. Harper said successful the video helium reached retired astatine the petition of Thomson’s VIP manager connected the site, “your big Bryttanni astatine FanDuel.”

Harper addressed the concern connected a societal media station Monday, hours up of his scheduled information successful the Home Run Derby.

“I did not cognize FanDuel would bash this,” Harper wrote. “I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had nary close to bash it.”

Asked for comment, FanDuel said it was “committed to fostering a civilization of liable gaming and protecting our customers.

“Unlike amerciable offshore sportsbooks, FanDuel employees are trained to admit and emblem signs of occupation gambling and connection resources and tools, and we proceed to reappraisal and fortify our policies to guarantee we person the industry’s strongest user extortion initiatives.”