Sportsbook-funded political groups are buying state election ads that say nothing about gambling, while backing candidates who could help decide the industry’s rules. Dan Bernstein reports for Sportico that a network funded by DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics and Bet365 has resumed advertising ahead of the November 3 elections. The groups have received almost $100 million from betting companies over the past year; that is funding received, rather than a measure of advertising already purchased.
American Future PAC began a new round of digital advertising on October 6. Bernstein identifies at least $30,000 across ten ads targeting state races in Alabama, Illinois, Georgia and Maryland, using platform transparency records. Separate September 30 payments included roughly $55,000 for mailers, $194,000 for television advertising and $347,000 for digital advertising. The report describes the television and mail activity as apparent general-election outreach, with less certainty than the documented online ads.
The money reaches both parties through Win for America PAC, which receives operator contributions and distributes them through the network. American Future backs Democrats; American Conservative Fund and related groups support Republicans. In the latest quarter, DraftKings, Fanatics and Bet365 contributed $9.65 million to Win for America. FanDuel sat out that funding round. Win for America distributed $5.9 million to American Conservative Fund and $2.7 million to American Future.
The ads appeal to voters on subjects such as property taxes, immigration and gun control, leaving the sportsbook funding and gambling agenda out of the message. State lawmakers determine whether online betting is legal and what tax rates operators pay. Voters are therefore being asked to choose those lawmakers through advertising that obscures the sponsors’ commercial stake in the outcome.
Bernstein documents a route from gambling companies to election advertising, not proof that a particular contribution bought a policy decision. The consumer stakes lie downstream, in the rules elected officials set for an industry funded by bettors’ losses. The report does not quantify resulting household harm. A representative of Win for America did not immediately respond to Sportico’s request for comment.