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Tonko Rips FanDuel Response, Renews Push for the SAFE Bet Act

Quick Glance at the Facts

• Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) said FanDuel’s answers to Congress fell short and renewed his call to pass the SAFE Bet Act, according to Legal Sports Report on August 18, 2026.
• FanDuel left five of the eight questions Congress asked about its VIP program unanswered.
• The bill has stalled since its March 2025 reintroduction and faces opposition from the American Gaming Association.

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) says FanDuel’s written answers to Congress did not address how its VIP program treats problem gamblers, and he is using that response to push again for the SAFE Bet Act. For bettors, this keeps a federal bill that would cap deposits, restrict ads, and build a national self-exclusion list back in the spotlight.

Why Tonko Says FanDuel’s Answers Fell Short

Tonko, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) had sent a letter to FanDuel asking about its VIP program and responsible gambling practices, a move tied to a 2024 video of Phillies star Bryce Harper that was used to keep a bettor wagering.

FanDuel’s senior vice president of public policy and sustainability, Cory Fox, replied to Congress days later. Tonko said that the operator answered three of the eight questions in some form but skipped five, including whether FanDuel targets promotions at bettors on losing streaks and whether it will suspend the VIP program.

Tonko called the industry’s responsible gaming model “broken” and said FanDuel used it to place blame on the customer. FanDuel has not conceded any wrongdoing, and its response framed the perks as part of its existing responsible gaming approach.

What Happens to the SAFE Bet Act Now

Tonko and Blumenthal reintroduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act in March 2025, filed in the House as H.R. 2087 and in the Senate as S. 1033. If passed, the bill would:

• Require each state that offers sports betting to run an approved regulatory program
• Ban operators from advertising during live game broadcasts
• Block betting by anyone under 21 or by members of sports organizations
• Add affordability checks such as deposit limits and income verification.
• Direct money toward gambling-disorder treatment and sets up a national self-exclusion list

The measure has not moved since its reintroduction. As of August 2026, it faces resistance from gambling lobbyists and the American Gaming Association, so FanDuel’s answers give Tonko a fresh reason to press for a vote rather than a clear path to passage.

What This Means for Sports Bettors

The SAFE Bet Act is still a proposal, so deposit limits, ad rules, and the self-exclusion list would only apply if Congress passes it and states adopt the standards. If it ever became law, VIP perks and promotional offers at regulated books would likely shrink.

GamblingNerd Take

FanDuel’s short answers handed Tonko a talking point, but a stalled bill with the American Gaming Association pushing back is not close to becoming law.

If tighter federal rules ever do clip bonuses and betting limits at regulated books, players who want bigger promos and fewer deposit caps tend to look at offshore sportsbooks instead. Check whether your state even offers legal online betting before you worry about a federal cap that does not exist yet.