Sports Betting Industry Spends $72 Million on 2026 Elections, Becoming a Major Political Force

The U.S. sports betting industry is spending more money than ever on politics. DraftKings, FanDuel, and other major sportsbooks have contributed at least $72 million during the 2026 midterm election cycle, making gambling one of the country’s biggest political donors.

Most of the money has gone through a super PAC called Win for America, which supports candidates in key state elections. The spending comes as sportsbooks face growing competition from prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, which continue to gain support and attention.

A Growing Political War Chest

DraftKings has donated at least $34 million to Win for America, making it the group’s biggest supporter. FanDuel follows with $27 million, while bet365 and Fanatics have each contributed $5.5 million.

The industry first committed $43 million before adding another $29 million during the second quarter of the election cycle.

According to government watchdog Public Citizen, sports betting now ranks behind only the crypto and technology industries in corporate political spending. Research director Rick Claypool called Win for America a growing “corporate money juggernaut.”

Super PACs can raise unlimited money from companies and spend it to support candidates, although they cannot work directly with political campaigns.

Georgia and Pennsylvania Become Key Battlegrounds

Sportsbooks are focusing on states where gambling laws could soon change.

In Georgia, Win for America spent more than $12 million supporting 34 legislative candidates through Republican and Democratic affiliate groups. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 32 of those candidates won their primary elections.

The victories could matter because Georgia lawmakers are still debating whether to regulate gambling.

Pennsylvania is another major target. There, the industry is pushing back against proposed tax increases on online sportsbooks. Lawmakers want to use the extra tax revenue to help fund public transportation, but operators are spending heavily to oppose the plan.

Lobbying Spending Also Continues to Rise, While Prediction Markets Increase the Pressure

Political donations are only part of the industry’s strategy.

According to OpenSecrets, FanDuel spent $1.1 million on federal lobbying last year, about seven times more than it spent in 2024. DraftKings also increased its lobbying budget to roughly $900,000.

The industry’s main lobbying group, the Sports Betting Alliance, represents DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM. The organization works with lawmakers to protect and expand regulated sports betting across the country.

Interestingly, BetMGM belongs to the alliance, but has not donated money to Win for America.

Sportsbooks are also facing new competition from prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket.

These platforms allow users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, including sports, and have gained more public attention and regulatory support. Many in the gambling industry now see them as direct competitors because they attract many of the same customers that could be looking to bet on US Senate midterm election odds.

What’s Next

The reported $72 million likely does not show the industry’s full political spending. Federal records do not include every state-level contribution or donations made through nonprofit groups that do not have to reveal their donors.

With the general election approaching and major gambling debates still taking place in states like Georgia and Pennsylvania, sportsbooks are expected to continue spending heavily.

The industry’s political influence is growing quickly and has become an important part of its long-term business strategy.