Congress probes VIP perks at major sportsbooks and prediction-market firms
U.S. lawmakers sent letters to DraftKings, Fanatics, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, Kalshi and Polymarket demanding details on VIP reward programs, revenue from high-roller customers and any use of AI to tailor offers.
Three Democratic members of Congress wrote to a half-dozen gambling and prediction-market operators—including DraftKings, Fanatics, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, Kalshi and Polymarket—seeking a breakdown of revenue generated from VIP customers, the exact perks offered and whether AI is used to customize those rewards. The letters, which set a Nov. 5 deadline, cite media accounts of VIP programs pushing vulnerable gamblers into debt, notably a case where FanDuel sent a Cameo video of Bryce Harper to a Philadelphia bettor.
Fanatics’ CEO Michael Rubin acknowledged the request, and DraftKings said it will respond after review; BetMGM and Caesars did not reply. Kalshi and Polymarket argue their rebate schemes differ from traditional casino VIP programs. The MLB Players Association has pledged support for future bans on athlete involvement in such promotions, and the NBA commissioner has defended a helicopter partnership involving LeBron James and Fanatics.
Why it matters
The inquiry could lead to tighter regulation of high-roller incentives that fuel gambling addiction.
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