Op-Ed: Why Is the State Fair Promoting DraftKings?

Why is one of Texas’ most beloved family traditions promoting a major online gambling company?

That’s the question Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and Stop Predatory Gambling are asking after the State Fair of Texas announced a sponsorship partnership with DraftKings.

As part of the promotion, DraftKings sponsored free parking for fairgoers on October 9, saving attendees $25 per vehicle.

State Fair officials celebrated the partnership as a historic opportunity to make the Fair more affordable.

But there’s a glaring problem: DraftKings’ online sportsbook isn’t even legal in Texas.

And while the State Fair is touting $25 in parking savings, gambling addiction can leave families facing thousands of dollars in debt, financial hardship, and even bankruptcy.

Predatory gambling destroys Texas families and preys on some of the most vulnerable among us.

That’s why we joined Stop Predatory Gambling and other organizations in sending a coalition letter urging State Fair leadership to immediately end its relationship with DraftKings.

Yet its partnership with DraftKings gives a major gambling brand exposure to the very families and children the Fair claims to serve.

A $25 parking discount should not come at the expense of promoting an predatory “product” to Texas families.

TFR is also calling on the State Fair to adopt a clear policy against future sponsorships and promotional partnerships with companies marketing predatory-gambling.