DraftKings’ PAC, American Future, has given over $1 million to candidates in the Illinois state legislative primary, making it the biggest outside spender. The company is backing candidates it believes will help prevent the state from repeatedly raising taxes on gambling companies.
Emil Jones III, a state senator who was indicted in 2022 on federal bribery charges, has been the biggest beneficiary. American Future has contributed $263,000 to Jones III’s campaign, according to Capitol Fax.
The PAC has also spent over $220,000 in the 40th Legislative District in northwest Chicago, backing incumbent Jaime Andrade, Jr. against socialist challenger Miguel Alvelo-Rivera.
Alvelo-Rivera has pledged to “fight to tax wealthy corporations and individuals in Illinois, and… make sure they know our legislature isn’t for sale.”
American Future has also spent $164,000 to support Adam Braun, a former lobbyist who has worked for the corporate law firm Orrick, which represents DraftKings and FanDuel. Braun is running for state representative in the 13th District.
Additionally, it has donated $125,000 to Saba Haider in the 84th District and $159,000 to Aja Kearney in Chicago’s 34th District.
DraftKings Fighting Against Illinois Taxes
DraftKings launched the PAC last year amid further tax increases in Illinois. The state implemented a betting surcharge in September, which DraftKings has passed onto Illinois bettors. The company now charges users in the state $0.50 per bet.
It said it hopes the PAC can help improve the betting experience for players. A spokesperson stated, “DraftKings’ ultimate goal is to build the best, most trusted, and most customer-centric destination for our players.
“The recent tax increase in Illinois makes it harder to provide the best service to our players while it simultaneously incentivizes more players to wager in the unregulated, illegal market.”
The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), of which DraftKings is a member, has also filed a lawsuit against Chicago over its introduction of a city tax on gambling.
Primaries Attract Gambling Interest
The primary races are attracting both the interest of gambling corporations and bettors. The Texas primary was one of Kalshi’s most active markets, with James Talarico eventually winning.
Talarico has also been backed by gambling money in the past, receiving donations from Las Vegas Sands’ PAC. The Democrat, however, has now declared he will not accept money from corporate PACs, claiming that billionaires own politicians after making donations.
Nonetheless, he supports legalizing casinos in Texas. Sands has been spending heavily on state politicians to open a casino in North Texas.
The Illinois primaries are set for March 17, and Kalshi also offers a range of markets. At the moment, liquidity in the markets is relatively low. The Texas primary saw almost $15 million in trading volume.
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DraftKings’ PAC, American Future, has given over $1 million to candidates in the Illinois state legislative primary, making it the biggest outside spender. The company is backing candidates it believes will help prevent the state from repeatedly raising taxes on gambling companies. Emil Jones III, a state senator who was indicted in 2022 on federal
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