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Online sports betting companies, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics and UK-based bet365, have contributed at least $72 million during the current two-year election cycle as the industry seeks greater influence in state and federal policymaking ahead of the U.S. midterms.
DraftKings accounts for at least $34 million of the contributions to the Win for America political action committee (PAC), followed by FanDuel with at least $27 million, according to Reuters. Bet365 and Fanatics have each contributed $5.5 million. Bet365, which was founded by British billionaire Denise Coates, has made its donations through its U.S. subsidiary, Hillside (Shared Services US) LLC.
Election records also show that DraftKings has contributed at least $1 million to other political committees, while FanDuel has donated an additional $2 million.
The spending comes as established sportsbooks face increased competition and scrutiny from prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The administration of President Donald Trump has embraced the prediction market sector, which some within the sports betting industry view as a direct competitive threat.
Public Citizen estimates that the online sports betting industry has become the third-largest corporate contributor in the midterm elections, behind the cryptocurrency and technology sectors. The corporate watchdog said the industry is supporting candidates it expects may be receptive to its policy priorities.
Most of the disclosed spending has been directed through Win for America, a so-called super political action committee established late last year. Win for America distributes money through two affiliated PACs focused on state races. American Future supports Democratic candidates, while the American Conservative Fund backs Republicans.
Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from corporations and individuals and spend unlimited amounts supporting candidates. However, they are prohibited from coordinating directly with political campaigns or contributing directly to them. Public Citizen said the level of election spending through Win for America is unprecedented for the sports betting industry.
“Win for America is ramping up to be another corporate money juggernaut,” said Rick Claypool, a research director for the nonprofit research group. He compared it to the artificial intelligence and crypto sectors, which have each spent more than $100 million on the midterms so far.
The political spending has been particularly visible in Georgia, where lawmakers have been considering proposals to legalize gambling. State campaign finance records show that Win for America spent more than $12 million through American Future and the American Conservative Fund on Georgia legislative contests.
Federal election records show that the industry contributed $43 million to Win for America through the first quarter, followed by another $29 million during the second quarter. Those figures do not represent all political spending by the companies because federal disclosures do not capture every contribution to state races or allocations to dark money groups, which are nonprofit organizations that are not required to disclose their donors.
DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics and BetMGM previously formed the Sports Betting Alliance in 2021. The trade association was established to lobby Congress and state legislatures on policies affecting the legality of online gaming across the United States. BetMGM has not contributed to Win for America.
The industry’s political activity has expanded alongside the legalization of sports wagering. A 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturned the federal law that had prevented most states from authorizing sports betting. Since that decision, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of sports betting, according to the American Gaming Association. Online sports wagering is permitted in 33 states.
Federal lobbying expenditure has also increased in recent years, according to campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets. FanDuel spent $1.1 million on federal lobbying last year, seven times its expenditure in 2024. DraftKings spent approximately $900,000, more than double its previous annual lobbying expenditure.