Gaming donors back Lombardo as Ford strengthens in Nevada governor race

Joe Lombardo has received the bulk of gaming-industry funding in the 2026 Nevada governor race, while prediction markets and some polls shifted toward Democratic candidate Aaron Ford in October ahead of the 3 November vote. Lombardo recorded $6.1 million in direct contributions between 1 January and 30 September and his campaign spent $12.4 million in that period; Ford collected $4.9 million and spent $5.2 million, according to the Nevada Secretary of State's Office.

Money from gaming interests

Gaming-affiliated donors have poured millions into Lombardo-backed political action committees. Nevada Way PAC has received over $10 million in contributions, per Transparency USA. Notable recorded donations include:

• $3,000,000 from Station Casinos

• $1,000,000 from Frank Fertitta

• $1,000,000 from Lorenzo Fertitta

• $1,000,000 from Las Vegas Sands

• $350,000 from the South Point Hotel and Casino

• $200,000 from Anthony Marnell III, CEO of Marnell Companies

• $200,000 from Boyd Gaming

• $200,000 from the Venetian Las Vegas

• $170,000 from Caesars Entertainment

• $160,000 from Wynn Resorts

• $150,000 from MGM Resorts

• $100,000 from Fontainebleau Las Vegas

• $25,000 from the El Cortez Hotel and Casino

• $25,000 from Golden Entertainment

• $20,000 from Light & Wonder

Lombardo has been portrayed as pro-business and state gaming regulators have removed several outdated or unnecessary regulations at his direction. He was endorsed by former US President Donald Trump, who campaigned with Lombardo at an August rally in Las Vegas and urged the crowd to elect him by "a big number." At that event Lombardo said he has to "take care" of the state's gaming billionaires; Ford's campaign has criticised that comment amid rising costs linked to what the source calls Trump’s war on Iran. Nevada currently has the third-highest gas prices in the US, per AAA.

Labour, unions and Ford's funding

Aaron Ford has drawn significant support from labour unions, most notably Culinary Union Local 226. Culinary endorsed Ford in September and Ford backed the union's effort to unionise Station Casinos' Red Rock Casino after the US Supreme Court declined to hear Station's appeal. Ford said in a Tuesday statement he is "standing in solidarity" with Red Rock workers.

Ford-backed PACs include A More Affordable Nevada, which has received $11 million in contributions, with $400,000 from Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker reported by Transparency USA. Forward Nevada PAC contributed about $3 million and its reported donors include:

• $1,000,000 from the American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees

• $400,000 from hedge fund manager Aaron Sosnick

• $400,000 from attorney John Morgan

• $250,000 from the Service Employees International Union

• $200,000 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

• $100,000 from the International Union of Operating Engineers

Markets, polls and regulatory context

Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket moved decisively toward Ford from early October, with traders on both platforms pushing Ford's odds above 75% in recent weeks. The platforms had previously listed Lombardo as the favourite through much of August and September before the flip in October.

Some traditional polls remain closer. MS NOW listed Ford with a 45%-44% lead over Lombardo as of Friday. Noble Predictive Insights published a 6 October result showing Lombardo with a 42%-40% advantage. The article notes recent elections where both methods diverged from outcomes: traditional polls did not predict US President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory, and prediction markets did not foresee Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s reelection in October.

From a regulatory standpoint, Ford's office has led efforts against prediction markets. Nevada has banned sports, entertainment and election-related event contracts from trading inside the state, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Nevada's favour in August. Ford said after the Ninth Circuit ruling:

"Nevada has built the gold standard for gaming regulation, and we will not allow companies to circumvent those protections or operate outside the law," Ford said. "Our office is proud to have defended Nevada’s authority, and we will continue working to protect Nevadans and the integrity of our gaming industry."

Those regulatory actions are among the reasons many gaming companies channelled support to Lombardo, while Ford's stance protected the industry from platforms he and regulators view as an existential threat.

Historical and electoral context

Nevada has been governed primarily by Republicans since 1998. Kenny Guinn, Jim Gibbons and Brian Sandoval, all Republicans, held the governorship for 20 consecutive years until Democrat Steve Sisolak won in 2018. Sisolak presided during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when state casinos were closed for 78 days. Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff, defeated Sisolak in 2022. Ford is a former school teacher, attorney and state lawmaker who has served as Nevada Attorney General since 2019.

The general election is scheduled for 3 November. As results approach, gaming operators and suppliers will be watching how market odds, donor flows and regulatory positions align with the eventual outcome.