Some of the nation’s largest sports wagering companies are ramping up political spending, directing tens of millions of dollars into a super PAC aimed at expanding legalized sports betting across the country.
Industry Giants Fuel $48M Push
DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics and Bet365 have contributed a combined $48 million to Win for America, a super PAC aligned with the Sports Betting Alliance, Axios reported. The group is targeting state‑level elections in jurisdictions where gambling laws remain unsettled or face renewed scrutiny.
Win for America has already spent more than $20 million in primary contests across at least six states, including Texas and Georgia, where sports betting is still illegal, and North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio and Alabama. People familiar with the effort say the PAC could expand its activity to as many as 15 additional states before November, with large markets such as Pennsylvania and New York under review.
Public filings expected this week are set to show the PAC raised more than $40 million during the latest reporting period, with additional contributions arriving afterward, including a new donation from Bet365. The group is not engaging in federal races, focusing instead on state legislatures and regulatory bodies.
Representatives connected to the effort say the goal is to support candidates open to regulated gambling frameworks, arguing that legal sports betting can generate tax revenue, create jobs and offer consumer protections.
Industry Faces Tax Pressure, New Competitors
The political push comes as sportsbooks confront rising tax rates in several states and proposals to tighten restrictions on betting markets. At the same time, prediction‑market platforms have gained traction, offering alternative ways for users to wager without falling under traditional sportsbook regulations.
The shift has created a complicated landscape. Some industry officials believe the growth of prediction markets could push lawmakers to formalize sports betting rules to secure tax revenue, while others remain skeptical that legalization efforts will accelerate. Regulatory resistance remains strong in several states.
Major operators are also responding to the new competition by launching prediction‑style products in jurisdictions where full sportsbooks are not permitted. That strategy has drawn scrutiny from state regulators even as some federal agencies take a more permissive stance.
The surge of political spending underscores the high stakes for the industry as it seeks to shape sports betting policy state by state.
