DraftKings, FanDuel Ramp Up Federal Political Spending Ahead of Midterms

DraftKings and FanDuel have emerged as significant federal political donors ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This is a sharp shift from the industry's traditional focus on state-level politics. Federal Election Commission filings released last week showed both companies had already committed millions of dollars, with giving spread across parties but weighted toward Republican-aligned groups. 

The increased spending came as online sports betting operators face heightened scrutiny over gambling harm, athlete betting scandals, and growing attention from federal lawmakers.

DraftKings made its largest contribution last December, donating $500,000 to the Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican-aligned Super PAC focused on maintaining Senate control. The company, listed under DK Crown Holdings Inc., did not contribute to the Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC. 

DraftKings also provided $2 million to Win For America, a newly formed PAC created in November 2025. That group later transferred $500,000 to the American Conservative Fund and $450,000 to American Future PAC, with the latter appearing positioned to support Democrats based on its consultants and public messaging.

Before this cycle, DraftKings' federal political spending was limited. Since its founding in 2012, its only prior contribution was $500,000 to the 2024 Republican National Convention. It did not donate to the Democratic National Convention and also contributed $502,000 to Donald Trump's 2025 inaugural committee.

FanDuel matched DraftKings' scale but distributed funds more evenly. In December, it donated $500,000 each to the Senate Leadership Fund and the Congressional Leadership Fund, and contributed $500,000 to both the Senate Majority PAC and the House Majority PAC. 

Earlier, the company donated $25,000 each to two federal committees tied to West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, a Republican whose state has served as a testing ground for new online betting products. FanDuel also formed FanDuel PAC in June 2025, which had raised about $130,000 from employees by year-end. 

Prior to 2025, FanDuel's only federal spending included $500,000 to the 2024 Republican National Convention and $482,000 to Trump's inauguration.

Break with the American Gaming Association signals broader industry rift

The surge in federal political engagement followed another major shift late last year, when both companies - two of our best sports betting sites - exited the American Gaming Association (AGA). In separate announcements last November, DraftKings and FanDuel said their departure reflected strategic differences over the future of online betting, particularly the rise of prediction markets that extend beyond traditional sports wagering.

FanDuel moved quickly into the space, announcing plans in November to launch FanDuel Predicts in December through a partnership with CME. The platform was designed to offer sports-related prediction trades only in states without legal sports betting. 

DraftKings pursued a parallel strategy by acquiring Railbird, which holds a federal license to offer event contracts. Both operators have since begun rolling out prediction market apps. DraftKings launched DraftKings Predict in 38 states in December, while FanDuel launched FanDuel Predicts its own platform nationwide the following month. 

Despite leaving the trade group, both operators continued coordinated lobbying through the Sports Betting Alliance, which represents sportsbook interests at the federal level.