Jul 22, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Josiah Gray (40) pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
- Washington, D.C. will have multiple operators offering online sports betting today throughout the district for the first time
- FanDuel is currently live and offering online sports betting throughout D.C.
- BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook will go live sometime today
For more than 24-hours there was no online sports betting in Washington, D.C.
The district is back online today after operators were forced to halt services while they awaited a final answer to the city’s budget.
Following a green light from the Washington Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG), FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook are now able to offer online sports betting throughout Washington, D.C., the first time multiple operators have been able to offer online sports betting throughout the district since launching in 2020.
FanDuel is currently the only live sports betting operator, with BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook representatives confirming they will be live throughout the district later today.
Online Sports Betting Questions Cleared Up
BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and FanDuel are all licensed to offer sports betting in the district, but now do so under their Type-A sports betting licenses. The Washington, D.C. council approved the district’s FY 2025 D.C. budget in late June, which now allows Type-A license holders to offer sports betting districtwide.
All three expected to be able to operate throughout the district on Monday, July 15, following D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signing the budget into law, but had to delay service after Bowser ultimately did not sign the budget into law.
Bowser yesterday returned the budget to the council, disagreeing with several tax increases included in the document. However, several provisions of the budget did go into effect, namely the new sports betting rules.
The OLG gave the go-ahead to licensed operators to launch districtwide online sports betting this morning. FanDuel is live, while BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook have confirmed they will both go live later today.
“We are working towards going live. Not there yet,” a BetMGM spokesperson told Sports Betting Dime.
Type-A Licenses Now Offering Districtwide Online Sports Betting
FanDulel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook can now all offer districtwide online sports betting in Washington, D.C., through their Type-A sports betting licenses.
D.C. council members consented to the expanded online sports betting market after unanimously approving the District’s FY 2025 budget on final reading in June. The new budget allows existing Type-A sports betting license holders to offer online sports betting throughout the District and outside operators to apply for newly created Type-C licenses.
The new class of license allows 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.
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
Since April, FanDuel has held a monopoly on districtwide online sports betting through a subcontract with Intralot. Intralot has held an exclusive contract with the OLG since 2019 to offer online sports betting in D.C.
However, Intralot’s contract with the OLG expired on Monday, July 15, also ending FanDuel’s subcontract with Intralot.
FanDuel has a Type-A sports betting license through a partnership with DC United and Audi Field.
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Sports betting enthusiasts in Washington D.C. have a reason to celebrate as FanDuel has officially launched its online sports betting platform in the district. This move comes after the D.C. Lottery awarded a sports betting license to FanDuel, allowing them to offer their services to residents and visitors in the area.
FanDuel is one of the leading online sports betting platforms in the United States, known for its user-friendly interface, competitive odds, and wide range of betting options. With the launch of their platform in Washington D.C., sports fans can now place bets on their favorite teams and events from the comfort of their own homes or on the go using their mobile devices.
But FanDuel is not the only online sports betting platform that will be available in Washington D.C. in the near future. BetMGM and Caesars are also expected to launch their online sports betting platforms in the district soon, further expanding the options available to sports bettors in the area.
The introduction of online sports betting in Washington D.C. comes after the district legalized sports betting in 2018. Since then, several retail sportsbooks have opened in the area, allowing sports fans to place bets in person at various locations throughout the district. However, the launch of online sports betting platforms like FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars will provide even more convenience and flexibility for sports bettors, allowing them to place bets anytime, anywhere.
In addition to providing a convenient way to place bets, online sports betting platforms also offer a wide range of betting options, including traditional wagers like moneyline bets and point spreads, as well as more exotic bets like prop bets and futures bets. This variety of options allows sports fans to tailor their betting experience to their preferences and interests, making online sports betting an exciting and engaging activity for fans of all sports.
Overall, the launch of FanDuel’s online sports betting platform in Washington D.C. marks an exciting development for sports fans in the district. With BetMGM and Caesars expected to follow suit soon, sports bettors will have even more options for placing bets on their favorite teams and events. Whether you’re a seasoned sports bettor or new to the world of online betting, these platforms offer a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with your favorite sports and potentially win some money in the process.
