The promotion has drawn concern from gambling-addiction experts, who say a reward tied to a children’s attraction could extend a sportsbook’s appeal beyond its adult customers. The zoo’s annual Halloween event features activities such as face painting and caricature drawings.

A digital flyer described the gathering as a FanDuel VIP event and listed complimentary parking passes, lunch and snacks at the zoo’s Garden Pavilion, as well as a registration table near the entrance. Admission for two adults and two children, plus parking, would ordinarily cost $134 for that date, according to the zoo’s website.

FanDuel said it was not a sponsor of Boo at the Zoo, had no role in planning or running it, and would have no on-site branding. The company said it bought tickets through regular channels and offered them as a complimentary perk to loyal customers, similar to other benefits such as museum access and event tickets.

But the flyer’s FanDuel VIP branding and the chance for children to join the outing prompted questions about how gambling companies structure loyalty programs. “Maybe someone in the zoo’s offices doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation,” said Timothy Fong, co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program. He said the zoo could have declined to participate and described sports betting as an adult product.

Doug Harbach, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, said the agency may seek more information when a benefit is provided to someone under 21. The board is examining this case, he said. Regulators do not preapprove gambling-company rewards, but promotions can be audited as part of the board’s oversight.

Cort M. Dorn-Medeiros, an addiction expert and professor at Lewis & Clark College, called a child-friendly zoo event a troubling way for a gambling company to build goodwill with families. He questioned why children were included in a reward for bettors.

The offer comes amid wider scrutiny of FanDuel’s VIP program. In recent months, members of Congress have challenged rewards provided to high-value bettors, including personalized videos from athletes and entertainers. FanDuel has said its rewards are not intended to encourage harmful gambling and that VIP staff are trained to identify and report signs of problem betting.

The concern is especially relevant in Pennsylvania, where researchers at Penn State estimate that 2.4% to 6.4% of residents may be problem gamblers—more than twice the reported national range of 1% to 3%. The state recorded $7.7 billion in gambling revenue in 2025.

The Philadelphia Zoo did not respond to a request for comment. The regulatory review has not established that the zoo or FanDuel violated any rules.