BetMGM and Caesars join FanDuel in DC as competitive market goes live

For the first time in the market, multiple sportsbooks are offering mobile wagering throughout Washington DC after Caesars and BetMGM went live yesterday.

Both companies were granted permission to begin operations by the capital’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) on Wednesday, July 17, after mayor Muriel Bowser returned the 2025 fiscal budget unsigned, ending FanDuel’s monopoly in the process.

Though it returned unsigned, the lack of a signature by mayor Bowser does not prevent the budget from taking shape, as the OLG was able to enforce changes that open up the DC sports betting market.

An OLG spokesperson issued an update that shed further light on the situation, explaining: “The Office of Lottery and Gaming has received official notice that the mayor has returned the Sports Wagering Amendment Emergency Act of 2024 to the City Council unsigned.

“The mayor’s action of returning the bill, unsigned, means the bill is now in effect. This new legislation will open the District of Columbia sports wagering market to more operators.”

Prior to this development, BetMGM was accessible only within a two-block radius of the sportsbook’s location at Nationals Park. Now, the New Jersey-based operator will be able to offer district-wide mobile wagering.

BetMGM’s announcement declaring its DC expansion did include the update that it will retain exclusivity for the two-block radius surrounding Nationals Park, as part of its multi-year partnership with MLB team, the Washington Nationals.

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt expressed his delight at the development as he 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 favorite teams with BetMGM across the district with our award-winning mobile app.”

According to SBC Americas, BetMGM was forced to cancel a launch party at Nationals Park scheduled for Monday, July 15, when it became clear Bowser was not going to reach a decision by that time.

Customers will be able to download BetMGM’s app on both iOS and Android devices, while the operator is currently running a promotion, to mark its DC expansion, that sees a first bet offer of up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets.

Caesars Entertainment made history in 2021 when it became the first firm to open a sportsbook inside a US professional sports venue — in DC’s Capital One Arena, through its partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE).

Much like BetMGM, bettors can now use Caesars’ mobile wagering platform across the district, barring federal lands and designated areas surrounding other professional sports venues.

Caesars Sportsbook has a significant presence in DC and is the official sports betting partner of the Washington Capitals, the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics.

“DC sports fans have always displayed an incredible passion for their teams,” declared Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital. 

“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, [DC council] chairman [Phil] Mendelson, councilmember [Kenyan] McDuffie and the DC Council for their leadership on sports betting as well as the Office of Lottery and Gaming.”

FanDuel has been the main operator within DC since April 15 when it officially replaced Intralot’s Gambet DC brand.

However, the Flutter-owned firm was briefly forced to shut down on Tuesday while mayor Bowser mulled over the budget. 

During that brief period where DC residents were without a mobile sportsbook of any kind, a FanDuel spokesperson told Legal Sports Report: “FanDuel remains committed to providing the district and its residents with a best-in-class sports betting offering. 

“Upon final approval of the FY 2025 DC budget, FanDuel will resume its sports betting offering as a Class A operator in partnership with [MLS team] DC United at Audi Field and continue to offer our citywide mobile app to the District of Columbia.”

By Wednesday, operations were back up and running.

The opening of DC’s market stems from enough support being provided to McDuffie’s Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024, which in turn prompted the act to feature in the district’s budget.

BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel all boast Class A sports betting licenses, which means, as outlined in the new budget, the trio will see a 20% tax implemented on GGR.

In FanDuel’s case, this represents a 20-percentage point decrease from the 40% tax it was forced to pay during its exclusive agreement with the state.

As mentioned in BetMGM’s update, each operator will retain its own monopoly in the area surrounding its in-stadium retail offering.

Given that the DC market can now serve as host to several operators, speculation has begun over which group will set up shop next.

DraftKings look the most likely, with the Boston-based company taking to social media on Tuesday to urge followers to sign up and receive bonus bets once live.