Share 
Gaming Edge’s TL;DR
- Online sports betting companies have spent tens of millions of dollars on the upcoming election so far.
- Most of the money has gone to PACS that donate to candidates.
DraftKings, FanDuel, and other online sports betting companies have spent at least $72 million on US midterm election efforts so far, according to a Reuters report.
The spending makes the sports betting industry the third-largest corporate donor in the current midterm cycle behind crypto and technology. The money highlights how important state policy fights have become as lawmakers weigh sports betting legalization, tax changes, and related regulation.
Much of the spending is concentrated in Win for America, a super PAC backed by DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and bet365. The committee routed money into two affiliate PACs, American Future and the American Conservative Fund, which have backed candidates in Democratic and Republican state races.
Federal election records show the industry gave $43 million to Win for America through the first quarter and another $29 million in the second quarter. DraftKings has contributed at least $34 million, while FanDuel has given at least $27 million. Bet365 and Fanatics have each donated $5.5 million during the current two-year election cycle. DraftKings also gave at least $1 million to other committees, and FanDuel donated an additional $2 million.
Georgia and Pennsylvania draw heavy attention
Win for America spent more than $12 million in Georgia state races as the General Assembly considers bills that would legalize gambling. The money went into 34 legislative races ahead of the primary, and all but two supported candidates won, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report cited in the story.
The group is also spending heavily in Pennsylvania, where lawmakers have pushed to raise taxes on online sports betting to help fund public transportation aid.
Rick Claypool of Public Citizen told Reuters that “Win for America is ramping up to be another corporate money juggernaut.”
Direct lobbying in DC is also on the rise
The industry’s political spending comes as sports betting companies face a more complex policy environment in the US. A 2018 Supreme Court decision struck down the federal law that had barred most states from legalizing sports betting. Since then, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports wagering in some form, including 33 states that allow online betting, according to the American Gaming Association.
Operators are also increasing their direct lobbying in Washington. FanDuel spent $1.1 million on federal lobbying last year, seven times more than in 2024, according to OpenSecrets. DraftKings spent about $900,000, more than double its 2024 total.
The companies are facing fresh scrutiny and competition from prediction markets, adding another policy front for sportsbook operators to watch as the election cycle continues.
Based on reporting by Reuters via US News & World Report.
