FanDuel officially took over for GambetDC as the primary sports betting app in Washington D.C. on Monday.
The change comes after several years of disappointing efforts from GambetDC, a lottery-run app provided by Intralot. Despite numerous shortcomings, including subpar odds and a poor interface, the D.C. Lottery defended GambetDC since its 2020 launch. It wasn’t until earlier this year that the lottery finally itted a change was needed and landed on FanDuel as a replacement.
Intralot subcontracted FanDuel to offer online sports betting in the District, and the mobile betting app was granted widespread access across Washington D.C. beginning Monday at noon ET. There were dozens of posts on X of s celebrating the switch, with a well-known app finally available across most of the District.
“With FanDuel’s launch, D.C. residents and visitors will have access to a best-in-class sports wagering platform,” Frank Suarez, executive director of Washington D.C.’s Office of Lottery and Gaming, said in a press release. “FanDuel’s entry into our market brings not only a reliable, customer-friendly sports wagering experience to the nation’s capital, but it also includes guaranteed revenue that will be used to fund vital city programs.”
Washington D.C. receives a $5 million payment as part of FanDuel’s entrance into Washington D.C.
Intralot contract extension? 602157
Kenyan McDuffie, a Washington D.C. council member, has Virginia.
He wants to at least allow the operators with retail sports betting presences in the District – Caesars Sportsbook (Capital One Arena), and FanDuel (Audi Field) – to all gain mobile betting access. Currently, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook are only available within a two-block radius of their retail locations.
While McDuffie has his idea of what the future could hold for Washington D.C. sports betting, the lottery seems largely content with the current system. The lottery suggested a two-year extension of the Intralot contract at a D.C. council meeting last week, with the current contract set to expire in mid-July.
Should FanDuel be granted two years of mobile exclusivity in the District, the sportsbook could generate significant market share. It’d be a disappointing development for BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook, which have notable retail investments in Washington D.C. and would benefit from also having increased mobile access in the immediate future.
It’s possible McDuffie’s bill moves forward and several apps come to the District, although it’s also possible FanDuel is the primary sports betting app in Washington D.C. for the foreseeable future. The D.C. council has critical decisions to make in the coming weeks and months.
