Adam Roarty is a journalist covering sports betting, regulation, and industry innovation for CasinoBeats. His coverage includes tax increases in the UK, covering breaking stories in the ever-evolving landscape of US betting such as the...
Read Full BioThe Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) is backing the Democrats to win in the upcoming gubernatorial election in Virginia, donating heavily to Abigail Spanberger‘s campaign.
The SBA, comprising some of the nation’s leading betting and gaming companies, has donated nearly $2 million to the Democrats in Virginia.
Lawmakers are considering legalizing online casinos in Virginia, and the SBA is backing Spanberger to help achieve favorable conditions. Any bill related to iGaming would require the new governor’s approval to become law.
The Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) notes that the SBA has now given $1,925,380 to the Democrats in the state, including a $500,000 donation to Spanberger.
Although the gambling companies are also somewhat hedging their bets, with $369,453 donated to Republicans in Virginia.
The disparity is clear to Alex Keena at Virginia Commonwealth University, who stated, “They’re betting on the Democrats winning.”
In comments to Virginia public radio, Keena added, “They spend to members of both parties, but they don’t want to pick the wrong side by investing in opponents of people who are powerful. And so that kind of tells you that they are expecting the Democrats to win.”
The polls are also indicating that Spanberger is well ahead. The Washington Post reported Spanberger led Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by 12 points last week.
The Virginia governor market at Kalshi gives the Democrat a 93% chance of winning. Over $1 million has been traded on the event so far.
Democrats Eyeing Victories Despite Text Message Scandal
Bettors, and seemingly voters, have not been dissuaded by a scandal involving Jay Jones, Virginia’s Democratic nominee for attorney general. Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner revealed private conversations she had with Jones this week.
Coyner told the National Review, “On August 8, 2022, I had a text conversation with Jay Jones, what he said was not just disturbing but disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office.”
“Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert. It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official.”
Jones sent the messages following the death of Democrat Joe Johnson, who received an outpouring of tributes from Republicans, as well as Democrats.
“If those guys die before me,” Jones wrote, referencing the Republican colleagues who were publicly honoring the deceased Johnson’s memory, “I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves” to “send them out awash in something.”
He went on to joke about shooting then-Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert:
Jones: Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head. Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time
Coyner: Jay. Please stop
Jones: Lol. Ok, ok
Coyner: It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them. It isn’t ok. No matter who they are
The SBA seems to have a knack for backing the correct candidate; it has not donated to Jones, but did give $3,000 to Coyner’s campaign.
