The two platforms had previously been limited to two-block exclusion zones surrounding their retail sportsbooks in the district.
It follows the news that Mayor Muriel Bowser sent the city’s 2025 budget, which authorised the competitive market, back to the DC Council unsigned.
This led to a delay in launching the competitive market, and to previous monopoly operator FanDuel taking down its platform.
However, according to a statement provided by the mayor’s press secretary to SportsHandle, the budget is nonetheless effectively approved.
“In DC, the Mayor returning the budget unsigned will still permit it to pass into law,” they said in an email.
“It is a demonstration of the Mayor’s objections to several elements of the budget passed by the DC Council … Sports betting in DC will move forward as detailed in the budget.”
As such, bettors in the nation’s capital can now place bets in a competitive system for the first time.
Will other operators attempt to launch in DC?
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said: “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 favourite teams with BetMGM across the District with our award-winning mobile app.”
While Caesars and BetMGM have launched first due to their existing retail presence in the city, other major operators are reportedly interested in launching in DC.
The move to a competitive model follows the city’s previous Intralot deal, whose monopoly on sports betting in the district saw the resulting GambetDC commonly become considered among the worst-performing operators in the US.
President of Caesars Digital Eric Hession added: “DC sports fans have always displayed an incredible passion for their teams.
“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.”
Dingnews.com 22/07/2024