FanDuel Zoo Perk For VIP Customers Draws Pennsylvania Regulator Interest
FanDuel offered some VIP customers a family outing at the Philadelphia Zoo's Halloween event, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is looking into it, according to a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer published on October 19, 2026.
The Inquirer, which obtained a digital flyer for the offer, says it extended to the annual Boo at the Zoo event. The flyer promotes family entertainment and VIP treatment for all ages.
It lists complimentary parking passes plus lunch and snacks at the zoo's Garden Pavilion for the sportsbook's VIP customers and up to three guests, and notes that FanDuel will have a registration table near the zoo's entrance.
FanDuel's Response
In a statement, FanDuel said it is not a sponsor of Boo at the Zoo and that there is no FanDuel branding on site. The company said it played no role in planning or running the event, and that it bought tickets through normal channels to give customers the option of attending.
The report says the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is examining the perk. The attention is part of a wider debate over how sportsbooks reward high-value customers and whether hospitality that includes children sits comfortably with advertising and responsible gambling rules. No finding or penalty has been announced.
Pennsylvania sportsbooks operate under rules set by the Gaming Control Board, and our guide to Pennsylvania sportsbooks explains what licensed operators can offer. Anyone concerned about their betting can find support through the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
What The Zoo Says About The Event
The event page describes Boo at the Zoo as its annual Halloween event, running for five weekends, with trick-or-treating throughout the grounds. It is included with general admission or membership, and the zoo lists its own sponsors, which do not include FanDuel.
That matches FanDuel's statement that it is not a sponsor. The question raised by the Inquirer report is therefore about the sportsbook's VIP hospitality rather than any branded presence at the event itself.
The Inquirer's subheading says addiction experts called a benefit that children of heavy gamblers could enjoy, in a family-centric setting, troubling, and that it raises new questions over how VIP programs operate.
The flyer promised the perfect combination of Halloween fun, family entertainment and VIP treatment for all ages, and the Inquirer said the event was this Saturday.
Wider Scrutiny Of VIP Programme
The story follows earlier Inquirer coverage of FanDuel's VIP programme, including a report on a Bryce Harper video sent to a VIP customer.
GamblingHarm.org, a harm-reduction news site, said the zoo offer comes after criticism of DraftKings' sponsorship of the State Fair of Texas.
In Pennsylvania, sports betting is legal only for adults aged 21 and over, which is why hospitality aimed at families draws closer attention. The Gaming Control Board has not announced a finding or a penalty.
Refer to Cashback Terms & Conditions for full program terms.
