DraftKings and FanDuel have each contributed $10 million to the Florida Education Champions political committee who are funding a ballot initiative which would legalize sports betting in Florida.
The chairman of the political committee, David Johnson, took time to thank the sports betting companies for their contributions to the committee.
“Thank you to DraftKings and FanDuel for stepping up to the plate in an incredible way to kick off our amendment process that stands to help all Floridians,” said Johnson. “Our amendment will direct hundreds of millions of additional dollars toward Florida’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund and open up the market for online sports betting to competition.”
The ballot initiative would likely undo the Seminole Gaming Compact recently signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The recently agreed-upon compact has been facing a litany of legal challenges from those who say it expands casino-style gambling against an already existing Florida constitutional amendment.
The gaming compact is expected to bring in around $2.5 billion in revenue for the state and $6 billion from now until 2030.
The proposal would legalize sports betting at professional sports venues, pari-mutuel facilities, and statewide through online platforms.
While the compact has yet to be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Seminole Tribe would become the hub for sports betting, but some pari-mutuels will be able to contract with the tribe.
The Seminole Tribe has expressed their opposition to the ballot measure.
“This is millions of out-of-state corporate dollars to try and manipulate the people of Florida, who are smarter than that,” said Gary Bitner, Seminole Gaming spokesman. “They think they can buy their way into the state. Our team intends to use our Florida dollars to protect the interests of the people of Florida.”
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “sports betting area” by Sheep”R”Us CC 2.0.
