Following Harper's FanDuel video, Congress insists that MLB establish clear boundaries.

Harper never expected the video he created to be used to congratulate a gambler who had incurred significant losses at one of America’s top sportsbooks. This incident caught the attention of lawmakers and problem gambling advocates, prompting a swift apology from Harper and anger at the situation. The gambler had spent $18.5 million with FanDuel, and during a particularly heavy losing streak, he received a thank you video featuring Harper. In this video, Harper addressed him personally, even mentioning the gambler’s young son, which was jarring to say the least. FanDuel had acquired the video through Cameo, a platform where celebrities can record personalized messages. Harper was at a loss for words when he realized how the video was used. He stated, Had I known FanDuel's true intent, I would not have made the video. The same is true if I had known anything about Terry or his situation, or about any alleged 'partnership' between Cameo and FanDuel. A letter was sent demanding an end to the MLB and MLBPA policies that allowed such predatory promotions. The gambler lost a total of $1.5 million on FanDuel and even more on DraftKings, leading to legal action against these companies. In their letter, US Members of Congress explained that even though Harper was unaware of the video’s true purpose, the core issue remained unchanged.

The letter emphasized that the incident raises bigger issues about the lack of restrictions on player endorsements, highlighting a systemic issue rooted in the close ties between leagues, teams, and sports betting companies. It pointed out that partnerships that technically follow the rules can still use players' personalized content to lure vulnerable fans into debt and addiction. The authors stressed that Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) need to address this problem head-on, especially as they renegotiate their collective bargaining agreement. They are required to respond to a set of questions by August 24, 2026.