All posts tagged: VIP

FanDuel VIP Program Faces Lawmakers’ Questions

FanDuel VIP Program Faces Lawmakers’ Questions

Published by skeptic

Sen. Richard Blumenthal is accusing FanDuel of targeting and exploiting problem gamblers, bringing the sportsbook’s customer-protection practices under renewed congressional scrutiny. The allegation centers on a personalized video featuring baseball player Bryce Harper, but it is not a finding of wrongdoing or a formal enforcement action. Blumenthal referred to an August report alleging that FanDuel used a Harper video message to reach someone already experiencing gambling addiction. He said the promotion appeared intended to encourage the customer to spend more, according to WTNH’s October 13 report. Senator Richard Blumenthal – Photo: yevkusa / CC BY-SA 2.0 The accusation also connects to scrutiny of FanDuel’s VIP program, where personalized messages and other benefits are used to engage high-value customers. Congressional scrutiny of FanDuel’s VIP practices has focused on whether such outreach can reach bettors showing signs of harm. Lawmakers seek details on celebrity videos In separate reporting, RG.org and PlayUSA said Blumenthal and two other lawmakers asked FanDuel for copies of about 30 personalized celebrity videos, along with information about who received them and how those …

DraftKings VIP Program Congressional Questions

DraftKings VIP Program Congressional Questions

Published by skeptic

Sen. Richard Blumenthal plans to seek information from DraftKings and prediction-market platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket, while continuing to press FanDuel for details about its VIP bettor program, Front Office Sports reported. The comments signal broader congressional questioning, not a filed enforcement action or an established violation. The inquiry could touch both DraftKings’ sportsbook VIP practices and its expansion into prediction markets. Its VIP program has drawn attention amid wider concerns about how sportsbooks engage high-volume bettors. Lawmakers want details on VIP promotions Blumenthal, Rep. Paul Tonko and Rep. Valerie Foushee said in a letter that FanDuel had not adequately addressed their questions. They want to know which other athletes and celebrities sent personalized videos to VIP bettors and what safeguards the company uses to avoid encouraging people with gambling problems to keep betting. Blumenthal told Front Office Sports he intends to ask DraftKings the same questions, and to raise them with prediction-market platforms. That brings the inquiry beyond FanDuel’s handling of celebrity videos and into a debate about whether customer loyalty programs and promotions …

Losses, Warnings and a DraftKings VIP Invitation

Losses, Warnings and a DraftKings VIP Invitation

Published by skeptic

It was late May, the French Open was underway, and a ProPublica reporter had just ripped 64 wagers on the clay courts of Paris in a single two-hour session from his office chair in New York City. A $75 bet that Claire Liu would win the fifth point of her first-set tiebreak against Maria Sakkari came back wrong. So did a $300 bet on Francisco Comesana to win the first game of the second set against Luciano Darderi. Mid-spree, a promotion pinged his phone. “BET & GET,” it read, offering to boost his profits if he threw down more money on tennis, complete with a cartoon stack of cash. A Deliberate Descent Into Reckless Betting The tennis binge was one stop in a 10-week experiment by Jake Pearson, who set out to test whether DraftKings would stop him if he bet like someone spiraling out of control — even if stopping him cost the company money. He opened an account under his own name, disclosed that he worked as a reporter, and let ProPublica bankroll …

Barcelona forecast €700m in sales from fresh VIP seat packages

Barcelona forecast €700m in sales from fresh VIP seat packages

Published by Sam Flores

Sept 25 : Barcelona expect to generate about €700 million ($798 million) in committed revenue from 2,000 long-term VIP seat licences at the revamped Camp Nou stadium, the LaLiga club said in a statement on Friday. The VIP seats will be offered under 15- or 30-year licences, with buyers making an upfront payment. Barcelona expect all the seats to be sold over the next two-and-a-half seasons. The projected revenue would be generated over the duration of the contracts, Barcelona said, as the club seeks to turn its redeveloped stadium into a major source of income. In December 2024, Barcelona agreed deals covering 475 VIP seats for up to 30 years, valued at €100 million. Barcelona said they have commercialised nearly 5,000 VIP seats, representing more than €380 million in committed revenue, with contracts for those seats varying in length. Reuters reported on Thursday that Barcelona were exploring two new sources of financing amounting to €510 million to cover rising costs and a shortfall in revenue related to the renovation of their stadium. Work on the stadium is …

Congress presses FanDuel again over VIP program and gambling safeguards concerns

Congress presses FanDuel again over VIP program and gambling safeguards concerns

Published by skeptic

Three members of Congress have renewed their pressure on FanDuel, saying the betting operator still has not explained how its VIP program handles customers who may be struggling with gambling problems. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul D. Tonko and Valerie P. Foushee wrote to FanDuel CEO Christian Genetski on Thursday (September 3), following an August 14 response from the company that they considered insufficient. Sen. Blumenthal and U.S. Reps. Tonko and Foushee today sent a letter to FanDuel criticizing the company for what they allege were incomplete responses to questions regarding their VIP services. Congress members want responses to 8 questions regarding FD's programs by Sept 17. pic.twitter.com/VelOKj70UZ — RLinnehanSR (@RLinnehanSR) September 3, 2026 “We remain unconvinced that FanDuel is making an active effort to protect bettors from harmful gambling and instead appears to be promoting addiction,” the lawmakers wrote. FanDuel now has until September 17 to answer eight questions the lawmakers say remain unresolved. Their scrutiny began after reports about Terry Thompson, a FanDuel VIP customer who experienced severe financial hardship linked to gambling addiction. …

King Charles, Emmanuel Macron Visit Bayeux Tapestry for VIP Preview

King Charles, Emmanuel Macron Visit Bayeux Tapestry for VIP Preview

Published by Jenni Sidey

Billionaires, royalty, and presidents all want a closer look at the Bayeux Tapestry. On Wednesday evening, King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham had a private look at the nearly 70-meter-long embroidered cloth at the British Museum in London. The highly anticipated exhibition opens September 10 and is on view through to July 11, 2027. In a speech, King Charles said that the tapestry “tells the story of the beginning of what I like to think of as the French side of my family’s history in these islands,” referring to the fact that he’s a direct descendant of William, Duke of Normandy, who defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Related Articles He spoke at length about the relationship between Britain and France. “We have defended our values together in times of peril: we continue to do so today across the world. May this Tapestry—and the treasures that will travel in return—stand as symbols not only of our shared past, but our shared future: a future woven, …

Tech Billionaire Gets VIP Viewing of Bayeux Tapestry and More Art News

Tech Billionaire Gets VIP Viewing of Bayeux Tapestry and More Art News

Published by Jenni Sidey

To receive Morning Links in your inbox every weekday, sign up for our Breakfast with ARTnews newsletter. Good Morning! Ahead of its public opening, the British Museum privately hosted billionaire tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel for a VIP viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry. London’s Science Museum is ending its 25-year relationship with oil giant BP.  The Met’s decision to honor fashion designer John Galliano with its 2027 Costume Institute exhibition has triggered fierce backlash. The Headlines  DARK ARTS. The British Museum privately hosted billionaire tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel for a VIP viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry before its public opening, the Guardian reported. The visit, arranged by the museum’s development director, has raised concerns among staff about preferential treatment and the use of the fragile tapestry’s limited “light hours.” Thiel is not a museum donor, but his political influence, links to Jeffrey Epstein and Palantir’s controversial government contracts, including a £330 million ($446.93 million) NHS deal, have attracted scrutiny. The museum says no public viewing time was affected. Meanwhile, demand for the tapestry exhibition is enormous, with online ticket queues reaching 80,000 expected visitors. Related Articles BLACK GOLD. London’s Science Museum is ending its 25-year relationship …

MLB players union backs VIP sportsbook marketing ban amid CBA talks

MLB players union backs VIP sportsbook marketing ban amid CBA talks

Published by skeptic

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) is open to stopping players from appearing in personalized sportsbook marketing connected with VIP or tier programs. At the same time, it wants MLB to support wider restrictions on some bets tied to events during games. MLBPA General Counsel Jeffrey Perconte outlined that position in an August 24 response to Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee. The lawmakers had written to the union on August 10 after a personalized Bryce Harper video was reportedly sent to a FanDuel VIP customer struggling with gambling addiction. After Sen. Richard Blumenthal asked MLB, the MLBPA, and FanDuel about "predatory perks" for problem gamblers, the MLBPA has responded. It's open to banning players from "participating in personalized marketing campaigns connected to a VIP or tier program." Letter below: pic.twitter.com/x4ycBHFZfr — Ben Horney (@BenHorney) August 25, 2026 The issue has become part of collective bargaining between MLB and the union, including negotiations over the Sports Betting Policy covering players. The MLBPA believes players should retain opportunities for sportsbook endorsements …

What Donald Trump and Melania appeared to whisper during ‘intense’ VIP suite exchange

What Donald Trump and Melania appeared to whisper during ‘intense’ VIP suite exchange

Published by Daniella Wilson

Donald and Melania Trump’s tense exchange in the VIP box at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C. has sent the internet into a tailspin, with social media users pointing out the couple’s seemingly hostile body language and sharp words before the First Lady walked out. Donald and Melania were seated side by side at the event on Sunday, and appeared to be enjoying each other’s company until the mood suddenly shifted and they exchanged tense words, while his secretary, Natalie Harp was seated behind them. © AFP via Getty ImagesThe duo exchanged words before Melania walked out Decoding their conversation Lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that their conversation began with Donald asking his wife, “Was it enough?” before she replied: “I don’t know.” “Then I need to see it,” she reportedly added, before whispering: “Donald, listen, I’m gonna go.” Donald said: “Listen, she asked you not to close the door,” to which his wife replied: “Why?” “It’s bad news, but it’s bad timing, Melania,” he said. The mother of two …

Queen Elizabeth II’s VIP treatment behind closed doors for her beloved corgis

Queen Elizabeth II’s VIP treatment behind closed doors for her beloved corgis

Published by Daniella Wilson

Queen Elizabeth II was inseparable from her beloved corgis, and her cherished pet pooches even travelled by helicopter if required to accompany Her Majesty wherever she went. It was no secret that she spoiled the pets, treating them to chef-prepared meals and having their sheets inside their baskets changed daily, but Prince Harry has revealed another way they lived the high life… In his memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex revealed that the dogs would happily join the Queen in her private lift up to her bedroom on a nightly basis. He wrote: “In the heart of this main chamber was the grand staircase. Sweeping, dramatic, seldom used. Whenever Granny headed up to her bedroom on the second floor, corgis at her heels, she preferred the lift. The corgis preferred it too.” © GettyQueen Elizabeth ll and Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh relaxing with their corgis and newspapers at Balmoral in 1975 The Queen owned more than 30 corgis in her lifetime and at any given point, she had up to ten! Princess Diana is …