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State of Play’s TL;DR
- The HD85 Republican primary has turned into a flashpoint over sports betting ties after a challenger accused incumbent Rep. Rick Rehm of being backed by a DraftKings-linked PAC.
- The dispute centers on mailers from the Virginia-based American Conservative Fund and broader questions about industry influence as Alabama’s gambling future re-enters the political spotlight.
The May 19 GOP primary in Alabama’s House District 85 shifted from routine to heated after Republican challenger David Money began circulating flyers tying incumbent Rep. Rick Rehm to the Virginia-based PAC American Conservative Fund (ACF).
ACF registered in Alabama in January 2025 after receiving a $500,000 transfer from Win For America, itself funded by DK Crown Holdings – the corporate entity for DraftKings.
Money, endorsed by the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), told 1819 News the ads were meant to alert voters to likely out-of-state gambling money influencing local races.
“This was just making the voters aware of the people who are very likely to fund several campaigns.”
Rehm denies any relationship, saying he returned checks from gaming entities.
“I have nothing to do with them.”
The back-and-forth also recalls Rehm’s 2022 upset victory and comes amid renewed attention to gambling policy in Alabama after failed 2024 bills.
Lawmakers expected to consider lottery, online sports betting
This local contest is a microcosm of how operator-funded PACs can shape state-level gambling debates. Alabama failed to pass comprehensive gambling legislation in 2024, but with a likely new administration and talk of a statewide referendum on a lottery and possible online sports betting votes early in the next quadrennium, operator interest – and political spending – will matter.
If lawmakers move to legalize or expand online wagering, DraftKings and similar operators would be natural market entrants; their involvement now signals they’re preparing to influence both public opinion and the legislative agenda.
Regulators and operators will face scrutiny over age verification and consumer protections – concerns Money raised about underage access online – while operators will watch state races for signs of who will control future licensing and rules.
Voters decide the primary on May 19, but the bigger story is the coming legislative calendar: online sports betting and a lottery referendum are expected to surface early at the statehouse. Watch for increased PAC spending, operator endorsements, and sharper messaging as the industry seeks favorable frameworks.
Based on reporting by Craig Monger for 1819 News.
