The “Big Three” of U.S. sports betting, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics, have collectively poured $41 million into the super PAC Win for America.
Newly filed FEC reports reveal that the funds are being routed into partisan-aligned sub-PACs to influence sports betting policy in key untapped markets like Georgia, Texas, and Alabama.
Partisan Breakdown and State Targets
Win for America distributed the bulk of the funds into:
- American Conservative Fund (Republican): $26.1 million
- American Future (Democratic): $7.25 million
The American Conservative Fund is spearheading direct spending in states that have yet to legalize sports betting. Over $6 million has been directed toward campaign actions in Georgia, while $3.5 million has been allocated to Texas. These states represent the largest remaining opportunities for operator expansion.
Meanwhile, $3 million has been sent to Pennsylvania, where operators are currently mounting a defensive play against potential tax increases on their 36% GGR rate.
Voter Outreach and Infrastructure
The Democratic-aligned American Future PAC has taken a different approach, focusing heavily on advertising infrastructure. It has spent approximately $1.9 million on digital, TV, and radio ads via GPS Impact. While not contributing directly to candidates, the PAC has reportedly spent up to $2.5 million backing specific candidates in Illinois state legislative primaries.
This unprecedented spending highlights the industry’s shift from reactive lobbying to proactive political engineering. As states like Illinois implement progressive tax hikes, reaching 40% for top-tier operators, the industry is leveraging its financial power to ensure that future expansions are managed under more favorable fiscal and regulatory terms.
