Sports Betting Super PACs Backed by DraftKings and Peers Activate Digital Ads for 2026 Midterms
Super PACs funded by major sportsbooks are resuming general-election advertising after heavy primary spending and a summer pause. American Future PAC has deployed at least $30k in digital ads in four states while posing as a liberal grassroots group. Total industry contributions to the network exceed $100 million in the past year.
SCCG Take — State lawmakers set gambling legality and tax rates. This undisclosed bipartisan spending lets operators shape those decisions without direct visibility. Regulators and opponents may scrutinize the tactic in future cycles.
A network of Super PACs funded by DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics and Bet365 is activating just before Nov. 3’s nationwide midterm elections. Those contests will determine control of Congress and more than 6,000 state legislative seats. The PACs received almost $100 million from betting firms over the past year and spent heavily in state primaries during the first half of 2026.
They had stayed quiet on general-election matchups on Meta and Google platforms through the summer. On Oct. 6, however, sportsbook-linked American Future PAC paid to begin running digital ads on those platforms. It has spent at least $30,000 across 10 promos aimed at state races in Alabama, Illinois, Georgia and Maryland, according to Sportico.
Concealed Messaging in Key State Races
American Future presents itself as a grassroots liberal group. It adopts Democrat positions on immigration and gun control. The ads never mention gambling or sports betting.
One current ad states that Republican Barry Beauchamp supported raising property taxes. Beauchamp is seeking reelection to the Maryland House of Delegates. The approach marks a shift from primary-season attack ads to positive messaging for chosen Democrats and targeted criticism of selected Republicans.
Bipartisan Funding and Spending Flows
The operators also back Republican efforts through Win for America PAC and the American Conservative Fund PAC. In the latest quarter DraftKings, Fanatics and Bet365 gave Win for America $9.65 million. FanDuel did not participate in that round.
Win for America dispersed $5.9 million to the American Conservative Fund and $2.7 million to American Future. The conservative PAC has not yet run general-election ads on the major platforms. It did send $200,000 to Moving Arizona Forward PAC on September 15 to support Arizona Republicans.
Reporting: Sportico
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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