Top Online Betting Firms Abandon AGA Amid Growing Industry Divide
Four of the biggest names in online betting have now left the American Gaming Association (AGA) within the past year. Bet365 became the latest to exit on 24 March 2026, following earlier departures by DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics. The moves highlight growing divisions between digital-first operators and the AGA's focus on traditional retail casinos. The split began in late 2025 when DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics all withdrew from the AGA. Each cited disagreements over the organisation's stance on prediction markets and its priority on brick-and-mortar gambling. Bet365's departure reinforced this trend, with the company pointing to a fundamental mismatch between its online-only model and the AGA's emphasis on physical casinos.
Bet365 has been rapidly expanding its U.S. footprint, including a new headquarters in Denver and launches in additional states. Its online casino operations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have grown by roughly 50% year-over-year. Despite leaving the AGA, the company stressed it would maintain strong ties with regulators and other industry stakeholders. The exits mark a clear shift in the U.S. gaming sector, where digital operators are increasingly distancing themselves from traditional casino-focused advocacy groups. While the AGA continues to represent land-based businesses, major online platforms are now pursuing independent strategies.
The departure of bet365 and other leading operators leaves the AGA with fewer digital members. The organisation's direction remains centred on retail casinos, while online betting firms focus on expanding their own market presence. The industry's divide between physical and digital gambling appears to be widening.
