Jun 21, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Lane Thomas (28) celebrates in the dugout after scoring on an RBI in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
- The D.C. City Council approved its budget on final reading to allow additional online sports betting operators into the district
- FanDuel is currently the only district-wide online sports betting operator
- The new rules allow for up to seven total online sports betting operators
An expansion of Washington, D.C. online sports betting could be coming as early as next month.
Members of the Washington, D.C. Council approved the District’s fiscal year budget on final reading Tuesday afternoon, which includes language to allow up to seven online sports betting operators to do business in the district.
FanDuel is currently the only operator that can legally offer district-wide online sports betting through its partnership with the Washington, D.C. Lottery and Intralot.
New Operators Potentially by July
Council members yesterday unanimously approved the District’s FY 2025 budget on final reading, which will allow additional sports betting operators to do business in D.C. starting in July. The budget now heads to Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) for her approval and a 30-day review congressional review after.
With this new budget, the city council will allow its existing Type-A sports betting license holders to offer online sports betting throughout the District and operators to apply for newly created Type-C licenses. Language from Council Member Kenyan McDuffie’s Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024 was included in the initial budget discussions two weeks ago by Council Chair Phil Mendelson, as opposed to the bill going through the typical regulatory process.
The budget creates a new type of sports betting license, classified as a Type-C license, to allow sports franchises in the district to partner with one sports betting operator to conduct online sports betting. The budget will tax Type-C license holders at a rate of 30% of gross gaming revenue and will cost $2 million to acquire for five years. A $1 million renewal fee will be required after the initial term runs out.
FanDuel is currently the only operator allowed to offer online sports betting throughout the entire district. The operator did not respond to a request for comment.
Sports franchises that play 90% of its home games in the district will be eligible for a Type-C license. This will leave the following franchises and stadiums eligible for one of the new types of sports betting licenses.
- Audi Field
- Capital One Arena
- DC United
- Nationals Park
- Washington Capitals
- Washington Nationals
- Washington Wizards
There are currently three existing partnerships in D.C. between sports betting operators and sports franchises. Caesars Sportsbook hosts a retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena, FanDuel hosts a retail sportsbook in Audi Field, and BetMGM hosts a retail sportsbook in Nationals Park. BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook can only offer online sports betting to customers who are within a two-block radius of their retail sportsbook.
These operators currently hold a Type-A license in the district.
During the initial budget discussions, McDuffie revealed that Fanatics Sportsbook and DraftKings both expressed interest in the new licenses. DraftKings addressed the budget approval on X.
“We want to thank @ChmnMendelson, @CM_McDuffie, and the rest of the @councilofdc for taking a major step towards expanding mobile sports betting options in the District by approving changes to the District’s sports wagering framework as part of the Budget Support Act. We look forward to the potential opportunity to introduce D.C. sports fans to our mobile sportsbook product.”
Kiosk Amendment Included in Budget
McDuffie proposed an amendment to the budget to ensure sports betting kiosks also remain in the district’s plan. Under the current deal between FanDuel and the D.C. lottery, the sports betting operator must provide sports betting kiosks for use in local businesses throughout D.C.
While McDuffie noted that he expects FanDuel and the lottery to honor the deal and provide kiosks moving forward, the amendment gives other licensed operators the ability to offer kiosks if FanDuel and the lottery do not.
The council approved the amendment by a 10-1 vote.
D.C. Sports Betting History
Since launching online sports betting in May 2020, Washington, D.C. has only allowed one online sports betting app to do business District-wide. Intralot, through a partnership with the lottery, launched GambetDC in May 2020 as the District’s first sports betting operator, but the app was scuttled this past April after horrendous returns in favor of a new deal with FanDuel.
The contract between the Washington, D.C. lottery and Intralot runs until mid-July and the lottery requested a two-year extension with the company.
Frank Suarez, executive director of the lottery who shepherded the district through its sports betting launch, recently resigned from his position to take a new job in Connecticut.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
The D.C. City Council recently approved a measure that will expand online sports betting opportunities in the nation’s capital. This decision comes after months of debate and discussion about the potential benefits and drawbacks of allowing residents to place bets on sporting events from the comfort of their own homes.
The expansion of online sports betting in D.C. is seen as a way to generate additional revenue for the city, which has been hit hard by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. By allowing residents to wager on sports online, the city hopes to bring in much-needed funds that can be used to support essential services and programs.
In addition to the financial benefits, proponents of online sports betting argue that it will also provide a safe and regulated way for residents to participate in this popular form of entertainment. By legalizing and regulating online sports betting, the city can ensure that residents are protected from fraud and other illegal activities that can occur in the unregulated black market.
However, there are also concerns about the potential negative impacts of expanding online sports betting in D.C. Critics worry that increased access to gambling opportunities could lead to addiction and other harmful behaviors. In response to these concerns, the city council has included provisions in the new measure that aim to promote responsible gambling and provide resources for those who may be struggling with addiction.
Overall, the approval of the expansion of online sports betting in D.C. represents a significant step forward for the city. By legalizing and regulating this popular form of entertainment, D.C. is not only providing residents with a new way to enjoy sports but also creating a source of revenue that can help support essential services and programs. As online sports betting becomes more widely available in the nation’s capital, it will be important for residents to educate themselves about responsible gambling practices and seek help if needed.
