{"id":2659986,"date":"2026-09-13T09:02:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T13:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sports-betting-industry-spends-millions-to-tip-the-midterms-as-gambling-addiction-plagues-americans\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T09:08:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T13:08:51","slug":"sports-betting-industry-spends-millions-to-tip-the-midterms-as-gambling-addiction-plagues-americans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sports-betting-industry-spends-millions-to-tip-the-midterms-as-gambling-addiction-plagues-americans\/","title":{"rendered":"Sports Betting Industry Spends Millions to Tip the Midterms as Gambling Addiction Plagues Americans"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsports-betting-industry-spends-millions-to-tip-the-midterms-as-gambling-addiction-plagues-americans%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2659986&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The provided content discusses the important financial influence of the sports betting industry in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. Approximately $76 million has been spent so far by the industry to oppose state bans adn restrictions,with most funds channeled through &#8220;Win for America,&#8221; a super PAC supported mainly by companies like DraftKings,FanDuel,Fanatics,and bet365. DraftKings alone contributed nearly $35 million, while FanDuel donated at least $27 million. The industry is focused on overturning state-level regulations that limit sports betting, expand gaming laws, and prevent bans on online gambling products. They have heavily invested in key states such as Georgia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, especially where sports betting is currently illegal or restricted. <\/p>\n<p>This financial activity is driven by a desire to influence legislation around sports betting, gaming taxes, and consumer protections, which are primarily regulated at the state level. The industry\u2019s efforts coincide with increased gambling activity, with Americans wagering over $165 billion on sports in 2025, and a rise in gambling-related problems and debts among bettors. <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >public opinion increasingly views sports betting<\/a> as harmful to society.<\/p>\n<p>Other sectors, including cryptocurrency, tech, and prediction markets, have also made considerable political contributions during these elections. the industry\u2019s spending reflects itS aim to shape policies to favor expanded gambling access and profitability.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The sports betting industry spent roughly $76 million so far on the 2026 midterm elections in an attempt to fight state bans and restrictions as Americans continue to rack up massive gambling-related debts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Most of the money went to Win for America, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/american-communist-aiding-russia-in-ukraine-presented-as-republican-trump-supporter-by-liberal-hacks\/\" title=\"...n Communist Aiding Russia in Ukraine Presented as \u201cRepublican Trump Supporter\u201d by Liberal Hacks\">super political action committee<\/a> (PAC) funded by sports betting companies, which received about $72 million from companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics and bet365 between Nov. 5, 2025, and June 30, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00925586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to Federal Elections Commission (FEC) records. The PAC routed the money to American Future and the American Conservative Fund, which spent on Democratic and Republican state races, as Americans increasingly struggle with gambling addictions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">DraftKing spent $34.8 million so far in the election cycle, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/08\/28\/us\/politics\/billionaire-midterms-donors.html?smid=nytcore-android-\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to The New York Times. It gave $34 million to Win for America, $500,000 to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC backing Senate Republicans, and $250,000 to the New Leadership PAC, which spends on Democratic primaries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">FanDuel gave at least $27 million to Win for America, while Fanatics and bet365 gave about $5.5 million each, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00925586\/?tab=raising#individual-contribution-transactions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to FEC <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/legal\/government\/sports-betting-industry-spending-us-midterm-elections-surpasses-72-million-2026-07-28\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">records<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div>DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation\u2019s request for comment.<\/div>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Win for America gave at least $50.6 million the American Conservative Fund between Nov. 5, 2025, and June 30, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00925586\/?tab=spending\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). It spent $17.45 million on American Future through June 30.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Sports betting, gaming expansions and related tax policies are primarily <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brennancenter.org\/our-work\/research-reports\/money-politics-roundup-may-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">regulated<\/a> by state governments rather than Congress, causing super PACs to spend locally. More than 35 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized some form of sports betting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">These companies are looking to overturn state bans on sports betting, block heavy state tax increases, limit strict consumer protection mandates and prevent bans on online casino or prop-bet products, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/04\/15\/us\/politics\/draftkings-fanduel-midterm-elections.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to The New York Times.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">American Future and the American Conservative Fund spent the most funds in Georgia, where sports betting is not legal, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.playusa.com\/news\/2026-ga-political-spending-led-by-sports-betting-advocates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to PlayUSA. The American Conservative Fund spent $8.5 million supporting and opposing legislative candidates in Georgia, while American Future spent $3.4 million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The PACs also spent money in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The American Conservative Fund spent more than $1 million on advertisements for Republican legislative candidates in Ohio, including state Rep. Jim Hoops and former Ohio state Sen. Frank Hoagland, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cleveland.com\/news\/2026\/04\/draftkings-linked-super-pac-bets-11-million-on-ads-backing-favorite-ohio-gop-candidates.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to Cleveland.com.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Gambling moved into the mainstream after the Supreme Court opened the way for sports betting in 2018. In 2025, Americans legally wagered more than $165 billion on sports, which surged significantly since 2019, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-08-28\/kalshi-and-other-prediction-markets-rise-poses-potential-new-risks-for-gamblers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to Bloomberg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Problem rates among sports bettors are at least twice those of gamblers overall, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/gamblingharm.org\/sports-betting-addiction-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to GamblingHarm.org. Nearly 20% of online sports bettors have problems reaching the level of clinical addiction, as 52% of bettors have chased a bet, 50% used a gambling addiction tool in a sportsbook app and 37% felt ashamed after losing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">One-quarter of sports bettors say they were unable to pay a bill because of wagers they made, with some saying they bet their rent money on sporting events, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/banking\/articles\/2025-sports-betting-and-debt-survey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to U.S. News. Almost one third, 30%, of sports bettors said they were in debt from gambling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Forty-three percent of Americans said sports betting is bad for society, while 22% said the same in 2022, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/02\/americans-increasingly-see-legal-sports-betting-as-a-bad-thing-for-society-and-sports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to Pew Research.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">The super PAC also spent money on affiliates such as the American Conservative Fund Action Georgia, the Texas Conservative Fund and Win for Pennsylvania, <a class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/committee\/C00927186\/?tab=spending#independent-expenditures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to FEC records.<\/p>\n<p class=\"LexicalEditorTheme__paragraph\">Other industries that have spent heavily in the 2026 election include cryptocurrency, tech and prediction markets. The crypto industry has spent nearly $200 million on candidates backing the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, including Democratic Maryland congressional candidate Adrian Boafo, Democratic New York Rep. Ritchie Torres and Republican Florida Rep. Randy Fine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter\u2019s byline and their DCNF affiliation. 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