BetMGM and Caesars Online Sportsbooks to Launch in DC on July 15

After years of futility, the Washington D.C. online sports betting market is about to get a major upgrade.

BetMGM and Caesars have confirmed that they have gained permission from the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) to launch their online platforms on July 15. They will join FanDuel as the only online operators in the state, giving bettors across the district a choice of online platforms for the first time.

Both operators have retail locations in the district and a limited online presence. The Washington D.C. City Council voted to expand the market just over a week ago. While the vote didn’t set a plan for when the expansion would happen, it appears the district has wasted no time opening the market up.

The expansion represents a significant change for a market that has disappointed. GamebetDC was originally the only online operator available in the state, but issues with the platform led to low revenue numbers. The OLG recently agreed to a deal with FanDuel to take over, replacing April 15.

FanDuel was firmly against any expansion, claiming they entered the market with the understanding that they would be the only platform available district-wide. Despite their protests, the OLG and City Council decided to expand just three months later.

FanDuel Gives Market Massive Boost in May

FanDuel was brought into the district to help save its floundering sports betting market, and the results can already be seen in Washington, D.C., with a handle of $36.34 million in wagers and a total revenue of $5.63 million, both of which were record-highs. FanDuel was responsible for $29.73 million of the handle, showing their impact.

The question now is if FanDuel will choose to remain in the market. The district is a small market, and FanDuel could have good reason to exit. They are already on bad terms with the OLG and City Council, and any cut into their revenue numbers could make operating in the district not worth the time and money invested.