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A political action committee funded by major online sports betting companies has spent more than $911,000 backing New York State Sen. Chris Ryan and opposing challenger James Corl III in one of the state’s most competitive legislative races.
According to Syracuse.com, the PAC, New York Future, has received $8 million from gambling-related companies, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Bet365. The spending comes as New York lawmakers and regulators are also weighing how to handle prediction markets, a growing point of conflict between sportsbooks and newer wagering-style platforms.
Sportsbook-funded PAC ramps up spending in Central New York
New York Future is registered in Dallas, Texas, and its 2026 contributors include DraftKings at $5.25 million, FanDuel at $2.25 million, Fanatics at $250,000, and Bet365 at $250,000.
In the 50th Senate District race, the PAC has spent $371,700 on broadcast and streaming TV ads in Syracuse, at least $320,000 on mailers, and more than $217,000 on digital ads, according to the report. The district covers parts of Onondaga and Oswego counties.
Ryan won the seat in 2024 by less than 1 percentage point, underscoring why the race is drawing outside attention.
Corl questioned the industry-backed spending, saying, “The real question is: What will my opponent owe the big gambling corporations behind it if he wins?”
Ryan rejected that argument, saying any suggestion he would be influenced by special interests is “offensive and patently false.”
Prediction markets add a policy backdrop to the race
The ad push is landing during a broader fight over prediction markets in New York. State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. has proposed the ORACLE Act to regulate those platforms, while Attorney General Letitia James sued Polymarket on Sept. 24 and the state also sued Kalshi earlier this year. Gov. Kathy Hochul has supported those lawsuits.
Ryan told Syracuse.com he opposes prediction markets in New York, saying, “Based on what I know today, I oppose prediction markets.”
The policy stakes matter beyond one district. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported that mobile sports betting generated $1.3 billion in tax revenue for New York in fiscal 2026, making it the state’s second-largest source of gaming revenue behind the lottery.
What New York bettors should watch
This story does not change New York’s current betting rules, but it does show how much money sportsbooks are willing to put into state politics while prediction market regulation is still unsettled. Key questions remain unanswered, including why New York Future specifically chose to support Ryan and whether the PAC will push for future changes to gambling or prediction market law.
For New York players, the next developments to watch are the progress of Addabbo’s proposal and the outcome of the state’s legal fights with prediction market operators.
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Source: As reported by syracuse.com.
