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FanDuel canceled a Philadelphia Zoo outing offered to VIP sports betting customers and their children, citing guidance from regulators.
Pennsylvania gaming officials are looking into whether the promotion offered a benefit to someone under 21.
FanDuel Withdraws Halloween VIP Reward
FanDuel canceled the outing four days ahead of the scheduled event, which was taking place as the Zoo held its annual “Boo at the Zoo” event, according to Northeast Times.
The invitation described the event as “the perfect combination of Halloween fun, family entertainment, and VIP treatment for all ages.” It covered a VIP customer and up to three guests, with complimentary parking, lunch and snacks at the zoo’s Garden Pavilion.
In its cancellation email, FanDuel told customers it was acting “following guidance from our regulators.” A FanDuel spokesperson said the company was not an event sponsor, had no branding on site and purchased tickets through normal channels.
Philadelphia Zoo spokesperson Maria Bryant said FanDuel contacted the zoo to cancel the outing. She also said the arrangement was never a partnership with the zoo and did not constitute an endorsement of FanDuel.
Pennsylvania Examines Potential Under-21 Benefits
The regulatory question centers on who could receive the reward, rather than whether FanDuel sponsored the zoo event.
Doug Harbach, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, said providing a benefit to someone under 21 may prompt the board to request more information. He said the board was looking into whether that happened with this promotion.
Harbach also said the board does not review rewards in advance, but promotions are subject to audit.
Lawmaker Plans a VIP Program Ban
Pennsylvania state Rep. Tarik Khan called the use of zoo access as a reward for VIP bettors “really disturbing.” He said he plans to introduce legislation banning online gambling companies from offering VIP programs or similar loyalty rewards.
That proposal would address a broader category of rewards than the canceled zoo outing. However, the source reports only Khan’s intention to introduce a bill—not an introduced measure, enacted ban or effective date.
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Source: As reported by Northeast Times.
