An analysis of 100,000 federal campaign records found Republican candidates (Reds) received over five times more donations than Democrats (Blues) from the American casino industry during the 2021-22 election cycle. Republicans received around $15 million, while Democrats got only $2.6 million. This is around an 8-to-1 advantage.
This imbalance could have resulted from large contributions from wealthy casino executives to Republicans. However, even after focusing on contributions by working-class casino employees holding croupiers, cashiers, janitors, and cocktail servers positions, the money contributed to Democrats still comes short. Ideally, Republicans received around $1.50 for every $1 donated to Democrats.
Top Five Donations
The top four largest donations from the casino gaming industry went to Republican contenders and causes. The fifth went to Democratic candidates. These include:
1. $10 Million from Miriam Adelson
You might be familiar with this name as her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, was verbal about his political views. The largest shareholder at Las Vegas Sands contributed to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which funds Republican candidates for the lower chamber of the United States Congress. Miriam’s husband also endorsed Republicans when he was alive.
2. $2.45 million from Fertitta Family
Frank Fertitta III and his sibling Lorenzo contributed $2.45 million to Republicans and their causes. Frank is the CEO of Station Casinos.
3. $750,000 from Phil Ruffin
Phil Ruffin owns Circus Circus and Treasure Island and casino resorts. Together with his love, they contributed $750,000. Around $500,000 of the amount went to Donald Trump’s principal political action committee, Make America Great Again Action Inc.
4. $315,000 from Joel R. Carter Senior
Joel Carter made the top four list after contributing $315,000. Joel is the co-founder and head of Gulfside Casino Partnership, the parent company of Island View Casino in Gulfside, Mississippi. He donated $120,000 to the Trump Graham Majority Fund. The political committee was co-founded by Donald Trump.
5. $87,000 from Jim Murren
To close the top five donations, Jim contributed $87,000. The former CEO of MGM Resorts gave his contributions to Democratic House of Representatives contenders, unlike the top four donors.
Apart from these, there was another person that made a huge contribution. Stanton Dodge of the DraftKings gambling company contributed to both Republican and Democratic candidates. The general counsel gave over $71,000 to Republicans and $67,000 to Democratic candidates.
Casino Employees Also Donated More to Republicans
While casino executives’ large contributions contributed more money to Republicans than Democrats, casino employees also donated more to the former. Employees did not make huge donations. Statistics show they donated an average of $15 per employee.
Casino workers contributed over $121,000 to Make America Great Again and Save America. These two are closely associated with Donald Trump, who has many connections to workers. The former president and casino magnate may have impacted casino workers to contribute to his causes.
Several experts have given explanations for the imbalances. Some suggested that a closure directive hit the gaming industry following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most believe that Democratic governors directed the closure of the gaming venues.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party positioned itself to be on the workers’ side. The party campaigned for casinos to remain open and operate safely over closing the doors, rendering many jobless.
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