On Wednesday, 17 July, BetMGM Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook were launched in Washington, DC. Both operators were previously limited to offering their platforms only in excluded zones.
Both operators had planned a launch two days earlier. They had to wait until the FY2025 Budget was in place.
Budget provisions open up the market to competition and remove it from being a monopoly. The budget was not signed or vetoed by DC Mayor Muriel BOWSER. She had until 25 July to sign or veto the budget. She instead sent it back the DC Council. This allows BetMGM, Caesars and other gaming companies to offer their platform throughout the entire city.
Bowser’s press secretary said to Sports Handle, Bowser’s inaction would still allow the expansion. Bowser sent it back to show that she “objected” to certain elements in the budget. The expansion of sports betting could also be an objection, given the controversial history of the industry in DC.
BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook and other operators announced Wednesday they have launched mobile apps in all of the city’s neighborhoods. The two companies had already gained access to the market through their respective deals with Nationals Park, and Capital One Arena. Instead of geofencing their platforms to within a radius of two blocks of the retail sportsbook, they are now live in the entire city except for federally-excluded areas.
BetMGM’s CEO Adam Greenblatt stated via a press release that he is looking forward to the launch of district-wide after “three years” of providing sports fans with an omnichannel experience.
In a recent press release, Eric Hession said that Caesars Digital’s arrival in DC “will enhance” fan experiences. Bowser thanked the DC Council and Bowser for “their leadership in sports betting”.
Both companies originally planned to launch Monday (15th July). BetMGM had to cancel an event scheduled for Nationals Park on that date.
FanDuel is also returning, and no longer the sole operator
FanDuel also returned to the Internet on Wednesday. It had operated citywide as a Subcontractor of Intralot since April. Intralot provides the DC Lottery. Intralot’s sports betting contract with FanDuel expired on Monday.
FanDuel, which had a 40 percent tax rate, will now join other platforms tied to sports venues at a 20 percent tax rate.
In April, FanDuel rescued DC bettors by taking over Intralot GamBetDC. This platform had been widely criticised both for its poor financial performance as well as its lack of usability.
Handle was 450% higher than GamBetDC in the DC market’s first month of FanDuel. FanDuel generated $4.9m of revenue in May 2023, compared with $711 282 for GambetDC. The revenue is determined by subtracting the winnings of players from all bets made during the month.
The new framework will not limit the number of operators in the future. DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook and other big players have shown interest in setting up presences on the market. This new framework will allow for the issuance of a “Type C” license for digital betting.
