Illinois-based casino magnate Neil Bluhm directed a $25,000 contribution on June 26, 2026, to the Underground to Uplift PAC, a committee focused on Virginia candidates. Bluhm serves as a key figure in Rush Street Gaming, the company behind multiple casino operations across states including Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Bluhm has built a substantial presence in the gaming industry through his partnership in Midwest Gaming and Entertainment. His business interests include properties that generate significant revenue and employment in the regions they operate. This latest donation adds to his record of political giving that spans multiple cycles and jurisdictions.
Records show Bluhm has previously supported candidates in various states. In Pennsylvania, he contributed to legislative leaders and Gov. Josh Shapiro. In Illinois, his donations have included support for figures such as former House Minority Leader Jim Durkin. Federally, he has directed funds to U.S. senators including Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, and Jon Tester of Montana, as well as other Democratic committees and candidates such as those affiliated with the Harris Victory Fund and House Majority PAC.
The Underground to Uplift PAC has made contributions within Virginia, including substantial support to Sen. Mamie Locke and transfers to other entities like Virginia Future Generations PAC and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. Bluhm’s involvement highlights the flow of funds from out-of-state gaming interests into state-level political activities.
Bluhm’s background includes raising in Chicago and building wealth through real estate and casino development. He has also directed philanthropic resources toward institutions such as Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine, with cumulative gifts exceeding $100 million in recent years for cardiovascular care and related programs.
Political contribution data indicate Bluhm’s giving often aligns with efforts to expand or support gaming-related policies in multiple states. The $25,000 transfer to the Virginia PAC represents one of the more recent examples of his engagement in electoral funding. Observers note that such contributions from major industry players can influence the regulatory environment surrounding casinos and lotteries.
Bluhm’s pattern of support extends beyond Virginia to numerous recipients across party lines in limited cases but predominantly to one side in recent cycles. This activity underscores the role of individual donors with business stakes in shaping political landscapes through direct financial means. The Underground to Uplift PAC continues its operations with this infusion of resources aimed at Virginia races.
