EndGame: Updates On Sportsbook PACs, Corruption Sentencing, And Tribal Gaming Oversight
· Yahoo Sports
The U.S. sports betting world moves quickly and unpredictably in 2026. In order to properly take stock of it all, we offer InGame’s “EndGame,” an end-of-week compilation of the top storylines, some overlooked items, and all the other news bits from this past week that we found interesting.
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Sportsbooks join to power PAC funding
If money talks when it comes to state legislation, top sportsbook operators are attempting to send a message loud and clear on their behalf.
Axiospublished an exclusive report that DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and bet365 have collectively contributed $48 million to Win for America, a super PAC funneling major contributions to state PACs involved in primary election campaigns and lobbying efforts in states across the U.S.
Axios noted that the spending is intended to boost legalization efforts in major states such as Texas and Georgia that don’t yet have sports betting, counter the moves in various legalized states to raise taxes or otherwise stifle the industry, and offset the challenge from the rising prediction market sector that eludes the state taxes and other requirements faced by traditional sportsbook operators.
“These organizations seek candidates who will thoughtfully approach regulation and ensure legal sports betting can continue to support communities through billions in tax revenue and jobs across America,” a Win for America spokesperson told Axios.
Date scheduled for Jalen Smith sentencing
Jalen Smith, one of the main recruiters of players in an NCAA point-shaving indictment revealed in January, will be sentenced in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on June 25.
Smith, 30, pleaded guilty in March to bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and an unrelated gun charge. He was among 26 individuals indicted, including players for NCAA men’s basketball teams as recently as last season.
Bribery in sporting contests brings a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud each carry a maximum possible sentence of 20 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Federal prosecutors have not disclosed the terms of Smith’s plea agreement.
— Brant James
NIGC now has just one commissioner
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), the federal agency that regulates Class II and Class III gaming on Indian lands, is down to a single commissioner. The agency announced Monday that Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland had resigned effective immediately. That leaves Associate Commissioner Sharon Avery as the lone commissioner. The chair position has been vacant since Sequoyah Simermeyer left the NIGC in February 2024 for a position at FanDuel.
Hovland, a member of Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in South Dakota who worked in the U.S. Department of Health and as tribal affairs advisor to South Dakota Sen. John Thune, had been the commission’s vice chair since 2021. In an NIGC press release, Hovland did not disclose her reason for leaving or plans going forward.
“Vice Chair Hovland has been a steady and thoughtful leader during an important time for tribal government gaming,” Indian Gaming Association Chair David Z. Bean said in a press release. “Her commitment to strong, fair regulation under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act has helped protect the integrity of our industry and reinforce the sovereignty of tribal nations.”
— Jill R. Dorson
Odds and ends
- Reuters reports that DraftKings and FanDuel are being sued for patent infringement by an affiliate of bond trading giant Cantor Fitzgerald. Interactive Games LLC filed the case in federal court on behalf of defunct gambling technology company Cantor Gaming. The interesting twist is that two of the patents in question were co-invented by current U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was formerly Cantor Fitzgerald’s CEO. Interactive Games is seeking unspecified damages for alleged infringement of five patents related to mobile betting technology.
- In another lawsuit that named DraftKings as a defendant, the operator has reached a settlement with the Major League Baseball Players Association. The union had asserted that DraftKings misused the names and likenesses of hundreds of MLB players on its platform without permission. Reuters reported that the case was dismissed in federal court after the parties reported the settlement, though details were not publicly disclosed. FanDuel settled with the players’ union in 2024 over the same allegations of using names, images, and likenesses without permission.
- PrizePicks has become the official daily fantasy sports partner of the NBA through a multi-year partnership announced between them. PrizePicks will now be able to integrate NBA intellectual property across its daily fantasy and free-to-play products and marketing initiatives. The fantasy sports operator will also be able to use images of NBA players across its marketing, content, and promotional initiatives.
- It didn’t take long after Michigan’s win in the NCAA tournament — in fact, no time at all — for odds to be posted on next year’s March Madness champion. In Nevada, the William Hill sportsbook listed Duke and Florida as the early favorites at 10/1 odds, with Michigan and Connecticut behind at 13/1 and 16/1, respectively. Expect all this to change in coming weeks after team rosters reshuffle as the NCAA transfer portal opens.
ICYMI
Taking Stock Of CFTC Proposed Rulemaking Comments So Far
FanDuel Waives Surcharge On Bets Placed In Illinois
Massachusetts Commission Votes To Reopen Wagering License Process
Ohio Republicans Announce Proposal To Severely Restrict Sports Betting
Kalshi Cashes In: NCAA Basketball Tournaments Net $4.7 Million Per Day
California Tribes Argue That A Federal Court Decision Would Effectively Nullify IGRA
DOJ, CFTC Swoop In To Save Kalshi in Arizona, Seek Injunction Exchange Can’t Ask For
Canadian Politician: ‘It’s Deplorable’ How Wagering Has Been Launched
FIFA Branding Monopoly Knocks Name Off Hard Rock Stadium, Ousts Gambling Logos