The U.S. online sports betting industry has spent at least $72 million on the 2026 midterm elections, making it the third-largest corporate political donor behind the cryptocurrency and technology sectors. Major betting companies including DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and bet365 have funneled millions into the super PAC Win for America, which supports both Democratic and Republican candidates in key state races.
The surge in political spending comes as sports betting companies face growing competition from prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. Industry leaders are backing candidates they believe will support favorable gambling legislation, particularly in states like Georgia and Pennsylvania, where sports betting policies and taxation are under debate.
According to campaign finance records, DraftKings has contributed more than $34 million and FanDuel over $27 million during the current election cycle. The industry’s lobbying efforts have also intensified since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that paved the way for widespread legalization of sports betting, with 39 states and Washington, D.C., now permitting some form of sports wagering.
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