When the DC Council in June approved a budget that included opening the Washington, DC sports betting market to competition, there was one question mark. What would happen to the small businesses – mostly convenience stores – that have GambetDC kiosks?
That question was answered on Tuesday (10 September) when Caesars Entertainment announced that it will replace GambetDC betting kiosks at 53 small businesses in the District. The company did not share when the new kiosks would be put into place.
On Monday (9 September) Caesars got the go-ahead to replace GambetDC through an Office of Lottery and Gaming executive order.
From May 2020-July 2024, DC had a single-source digital sports betting market. The DC Council in 2019 agreed to give Intralot, its lottery operator, the sports betting contract. There was no bid process and, when Intralot rolled out GambetDC, problems with the platform were almost instantly apparent.
Among the complaints were a difficult customer interface, non-competitive odds and limited wagering markets. Despite that, lottery partners were happy to have GambetDC kiosks in their businesses. The kiosks, small-business owners argued at hearings earlier this year, represent an often critical revenue stream.
Four operators now available in DC
It first appeared that FanDuel would take over the betting kiosks. In March, Intralot and the lottery announced that the company’s wagering platform would replace GambetDC in April. FanDuel did subcontract with the lottery to be the sole provider of District-wide digital wagering, but the deal was short-lived, as the DC Council two months later voted to open the market. Intralot and the lottery then allowed their contract for sports betting to lapse.
Since then, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook have removed their exclusion-zone geofences and are now available throughout DC. FanDuel shifted its market access from the lottery/Intralot to an existing partnership with DC United’s Audi Field and DraftKings went live in July.
“We appreciate the Office of Lottery and Gaming for providing us the opportunity to further our connection with sports fans in our nation’s capital,” Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital said via press release. “Our self-service betting kiosks are an excellent addition to our sports wagering options in DC. Whether sports fans prefer a traditional ticket-in-hand wagering experience or want to simply deposit cash for their mobile app account, our kiosks enhance the premier sports betting experience we offer through the combination of options and convenience that supports dozens of small businesses locally.”
Consumers will also be able to fund Caesars Sportsbook digital accounts via the kiosks.
