Addiction fears grow as sports betting booms among young men
Gen Z journalist Eli Thompson and recovered gambling addict LJ Ruggiero raise alarm about the rapid increase in sports betting addiction, particularly among young men. They highlight the prevalence of online gambling apps, the deceptive nature of small bets escalating into significant losses and the impact of gambling addiction compared to substance abuse, urging early intervention.
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."
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Philadelphia Phillies 1B Bryce Harper tosses the ball towards first base vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Wisconsin. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)
However, 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."
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper stands on the field between innings at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 19, 2026. (Jess Stiles/Sipa USA)
FORMER SAVANNAH BANANAS PLAYER NAMED MLB ALL-STAR HOURS AFTER HITTING FOR CYCLE AS A ROOKIE
FanDuel 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."
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2026. (Brad Mills/Imagn Images)
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Harper does not have an endorsement deal with FanDuel and has not commented publicly on the situation.
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