After betting on an unknown sports betting app, DC has partnered with a well-known industry leader to run its betting operations.
According to the Lottery and Gaming Authority, gamblers in D.C. will no longer be able to visit FanDuel to place bets as the company contracted in D.C. moves away from the subcontractor that operated the underperforming GambetDC. It is said that it will be possible to do this.
The Lottery Gaming Authority expects FanDuel to generate 1.5 to 2 times more revenue.
“I think the mistake we made was choosing to have a single app run by the DC Lottery instead of using multiple apps to open up the entire district to gambling,” said D.C. City Council member. Jack Evans said. “The chief financial officer at the time and the head of the lottery at the time were adamant that that was the approach we needed to take.”
According to the Washington Business Journal, in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, $116.2 million was wagered at the city's five sportsbooks, including Nationals Park, compared to just $69.6 million at Gambet DC. He said he could only bet on it.
Evans, an early champion of sports betting in the district, also believes the switch to FanDuel will bring in more revenue.
“Specifically, the guarantees that FanDuel is making last minute exceed the guarantees that we currently accept in any case. And this next part is that the entire lottery contract that Intralot has is up for renewal. It's getting closer,” Evans said.
Evans said it was a no-bid contract, but Mayor Muriel Bowser said the contract would be put out to competitive bidding.
Last month, the American Gaming Association reported that D.C.'s sports betting revenue was down 17% in 2023, likely affected by troubled sports betting apps.
Brian Vasil, who owns Grand Central Restaurant, Bar and Sportsbook in Adams Morgan, thinks the move to FanDuel is a good thing.
“I think this is the right decision for DC and indeed for DC Gamers. You know, what's good for the goose is good for the gander,” he said. “I think this space will attract more people who may have heard negative things about Gambet.”
If FanDuel takes over, it will also take over gambling kiosks located in restaurants and bars around the city, although this is uncertain at this time.
