In the constantly evolving landscape of U.S. politics, a new player has emerged, and it is directly tied to the casino and sports betting industries.
There's a group called "Win for America." It's known as a super PAC. It is funded by big sports betting companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics.
They want to play a big role in the upcoming 2026 elections, especially in state-level races. And down the road, it's a tactic we could see used to get more online casinos legalized, too.
What is a Super PAC?
Super PACs, or "Super Political Action Committees," are a part of the U.S. campaign finance system.
They became well-known after two important court decisions in 2010: Citizens United v. FEC allowed businesses and labor unions to spend money to support or oppose candidates. SpeechNow.org v. FEC removed limits on how much money groups could collect and spend, as long as they don't work directly with candidates.
Industry-funded super PACs, like those supported by sports betting companies, often focus on state elections, not just national ones.
While federal campaigns must follow FEC rules, state campaigns have their own rules for super PACs or similar groups. However, these groups generally follow the same basic rules: they can raise and spend as much money as they want for independent activities, but they can't give money directly to candidates or coordinate with their campaigns.
So, how are Super PACs different from regular PACs?
Unlike traditional PACs, which have strict rules and limits, Super PACs can collect and spend huge amounts of money. They use this money for things like ads, mailers, and digital campaigns that promote or criticize specific candidates. However, by law, they can’t coordinate directly with those candidates or their parties.
In recent years, super PACs have spent a lot of money, reaching billions of dollars on things like TV and digital ads. Some people criticize them for giving a louder voice to rich donors and big companies, but others argue they help support free speech and let more people get involved in politics.
Where the Money Comes From
According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, Win for America received a lot of money, including:
- $19.5 million from FanDuel
- $17.5 million from DraftKings' parent company
- $4 million from Fanatics Sportsbook
That's $41 million so far, and with more money coming in from companies like Bet365, the total is nearly $48 million! They've already spent more than $20 million on races in at least six states.
This makes them one of the biggest spenders in this election, especially since they’re focused on state issues.
What They Want to Achieve
Win for America is focused on expanding online sports betting across more states. Here are their main goals:
- Allow sports betting in states where it's still banned, like Texas and Georgia.
- Fight against higher taxes or new rules on betting in states like Pennsylvania.
- Encourage smart regulation in over 15 states to help create jobs and bring in tax money.
To reach these goals, they've set up a network and given money to groups like American Future, which works in Democratic races, and the American Conservative Fund, which focuses on Republican races. This helps them gain influence across the political spectrum.
Could Super PACs Promote Online Casinos?
The same strategy that super PACs use to support sports betting companies like DraftKings and FanDuel can legally be used to push for more states to allow online casinos, also known as iGaming.
The model used by Win for America can also be used for iGaming. Companies like DraftKings Casino, BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel Casino, which are already active in states that allow iGaming, could team up to fund such a super PAC.
Many of the same companies that are big in sports betting also run online casinos, so they share similar interests and resources.
Current Situation: Online Casinos vs. Sports Betting
Sports betting is now legal in about 38 states plus Washington, D.C., and has expanded quickly since 2018. In contrast, online casinos are still limited. Only eight states currently allow full online gambling with real money. These include:
iGaming has expanded more slowly because land-based casinos worry about losing customers, and there are concerns from religious groups and those worried about gambling addiction.
Potential states that might consider legalizing iGaming by 2026 could include New York, Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, and others that have discussed or proposed bills. However, expectations are low for new states to legalize iGaming or sports betting by 2026, partly due to it being a midterm election year.
The Bigger Picture
This is part of a larger trend. Many industries, like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, are using super PACs to boost their political influence. Unlike past efforts with lobbying or small donations, Win for America’s large focus on state elections is something new.
Some people worry that this effort represents big gambling interests trying to profit at the public’s expense, especially with concerns about gambling addiction. However, supporters argue that regulated sports betting can benefit state economies.
Interestingly, Win for America has engaged in politics before, but with less attention. Now, aligned with major sports betting companies, it's making major headlines.
As online casinos and sports betting legalization expands, this could be a major game-changer in the 2026 elections.
