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- In an Oct. 20 response to Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee, FanDuel defended its VIP program, arguing that roughly 30 Cameo videos were sent as appreciation gestures rather than inducements to gamble.
- FanDuel declined to provide individual customer betting histories or account logs citing consumer privacy obligations, while highlighting its Real-Time Check-In machine learning tool and VIP host compliance limits.
FanDuel told three Democratic lawmakers that celebrity videos sent to VIP customers were not intended to induce continued gambling, according to RG.org.
The response addresses scrutiny of personalized VIP perks and the safeguards surrounding them. FanDuel also declined to provide requested customer account data, citing its obligations to protect personal and financial information.
According to RG.org’s report, FanDuel’s Oct. 20 letter responded to Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee. Their Oct. 6 request sought copies of the personalized videos and recipient information, with a response deadline of Oct. 20.
FanDuel said it identified approximately 30 Cameo videos involving athletes or entertainers sent to a small number of VIP customers over two years.
The videos “were obtained as customer-appreciation gestures and were not commissioned or sent to induce continued gambling,” Cory Fox wrote in the company’s letter, as quoted by RG.org.
FanDuel Cites Privacy in Withholding Account Data
The lawmakers requested recipients’ wagering histories, wins and losses, requests to limit play, and reasons for VIP selection.
Fox said those requests sought highly sensitive account-level information, including responsible gaming reviews. He wrote that FanDuel “has obligations to protect its customers’ personal and financial information, which it intends to continue to respect.”
The company described its VIP program as providing enhanced service and encouraging customers who choose to wager to use FanDuel rather than another platform.
FanDuel also outlined restrictions on VIP account managers. It said managers may contact customers only through approved company channels, not personal email accounts or phones. Rewards above specified thresholds require additional approval, and inappropriate communications can result in discipline up to termination.
The company said managers are trained to escalate concerning statements to its Responsible Gaming team. When customers say they are trying to cut back, FanDuel said it may impose a temporary suspension, a deposit limit or permanent exclusion. Its Real-Time Check-In tool uses machine learning to flag deposits outside a customer’s established pattern, according to the response.
FanDuel Predicts Trial Has No Personalized Videos
The response also described a separate 90-day VIP trial at FanDuel Predicts, launched Sept. 15. The company said fewer than 60 people had received increased customer service and some additional benefits since launch.
FanDuel said the trial had provided no personalized videos and had no plans to do so during the trial.
Separately, Pennsylvania regulators examined a FanDuel VIP offer connected to the Philadelphia Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo Halloween event. FanDuel later canceled that perk, citing regulatory guidance.
The supplied reporting does not establish whether FanDuel provided lawmakers with copies of the Cameo videos or how the lawmakers will respond to its refusal to disclose account-level data.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
More from bonus.com – FanDuel VIP Program Draws Congressional Questions Over Problem-Gambling Safeguards – Pennsylvania Skill Game Ban Triggers 81 Layoffs at Republic Amusements – FTC Begins Early Review of FanDuel, DraftKings Sportsbook Advertising
Source: As reported by RG.
