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District of Columbia gets new mobile sportsbooks

18th July 2024 8:05 am GMT
Washington DC

The District of Columbia’s mobile sports betting market is open to competition after BetMGM and Caesars went live in the market on Wednesday.

The launch follows the DC Council’s approval of the FY2025 Budget which included a provision to open the mobile sports betting market for up to seven operators.

FanDuel took over from Intralot’s GambetDC brand as the sole District-wide mobile sportsbook operator in April, with that exclusivity now ended.

BetMGM’s mobile sportsbook was previously only accessible within a two-block radius of its retail sportsbook location at Nationals Park, with the company retaining that exclusivity under the new regulations.

“After three years of bringing unparalleled, omnichannel experiences to sports fans and supporting the DC metropolitan community through our partnership with the Washington Nationals, fans can now bet on their favorite teams with BetMGM across the District with our award-winning mobile app,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt.

Caesars’ mobile launch comes just over three years after opening the first sportsbook in a US professional sports venue at Capital One Arena.

“DC sports fans have always displayed an incredible passion for their teams,” said Caesars Digital president Eric Hession. “Expanding access to our mobile sports betting app across the district will only enhance their fan experience, and we look forward to deepening the connection we’ve established with them since our historic opening in 2021.

“We’d like to thank Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, Councilmember McDuffie and the DC Council for their leadership on sports betting as well as the Office of Lottery and Gaming.”

Caesars Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics.

Washington DC regulated sports market generated record wagers of $35.4 million in May, a rise of 183 per cent year-on-year, with FanDuel’s new app for the DC Lottery dominating the market.

Shares in Caesars Entertainment plc (NASDAQ:CZR) closed 3.19 per cent lower at $38.50 in New York Wednesday.