Online Sports Betting Firms Intensify Election Spending Amidst Stiff Competition

DraftKings, FanDuel, and other online sports betting companies have increased their spending on U.S. midterm elections, reaching at least $72 million, according to recent campaign data. These efforts come as prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket intensify scrutiny and competition in online betting.

The U.S. online sports gambling industry is facing competition from this emerging style of gambling, which saw support from the Trump administration. The industry has become the third-largest corporate donor in the U.S. midterms, trailing only behind crypto and technology, as estimated by the corporate watchdog, Public Citizen. Their goal is to elect candidates likely to support their interests.

Major online sports betting platforms such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and UK-based bet365 have invested in Win for America. This super PAC allocates its funds to two affiliate PACs, American Future and the American Conservative Fund, targeting Democratic and Republican state races, respectively.

DraftKings’ advertisement aired during the Super Bowl LX broadcast in 2026. Photo by Jill Connelly/Bloomberg.

Super PACs can receive unlimited donations from corporations and individuals, allowing them to spend unlimited sums supporting specific candidates, though they cannot coordinate directly with campaigns or make direct donations.

Win for America, launched last year, represents unprecedented spending in the industry, according to Public Citizen. “Win for America is shaping up to be another formidable entity,” said Rick Claypool, a research director at the nonprofit research group. He compared its spending to AI and crypto industries, both spending over $100 million on the midterms.

Requests for comments from Win for America and FanDuel were declined. DraftKings, Fanatics, and bet365 did not respond. While backing particular candidates doesn’t ensure legislative advocacy, corporations continue to share their wealth, hoping for future benefits. This influence is evident in some state races, such as in Georgia.

In Georgia, Win for America spent more than $12 million on state races through two smaller PACs, supporting bills to legalize gambling. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that 32 out of 34 industry-backed candidates won primary races.

Pennsylvania also sees heavy spending from Win for America, as the state considers taxing the online sports betting industry to fund public transportation.

A self-service betting kiosk displaying NCAA Football game odds in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher.

Originally, the industry contributed $43 million to Win for America in the first quarter, adding another $29 million in the second quarter, as per federal election records. However, these figures do not reflect overall spending, as federal records don’t capture all state race contributions or allocations to dark money groups.

In 2021, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM created the Sports Betting Alliance to lobby Congress and state legislatures, promoting the legality of online gaming nationwide. Although BetMGM did not contribute to the super PAC, significant donations flowed from others. DraftKings donated at least $34 million, FanDuel $27 million, and bet365 along with Fanatics $5.5 million each in this cycle. bet365 contributed through its U.S. subsidiary, Hillside (Shared Services US) LLC.

DraftKings also supported other committees with at least $1 million, while FanDuel contributed an extra $2 million, according to records. A significant 2018 Supreme Court decision allowed states to legalize sports betting. Since then, 39 states and D.C. have adopted sports betting laws, with 33 allowing online sports betting.

Industry spending on lobbying Congress has grown in recent years, as highlighted by campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets. The group found that FanDuel spent $1.1 million on federal lobbying last year, a significant increase from previous years. DraftKings more than doubled its lobbying expenditure, nearing $900,000.