Washington D.C. received another new sports betting option in June as the BetMGM Sportsbook is now available in the state. BetMGM is one of the biggest names in the US sports betting industry, and it should provide a much-needed jolt to the industry.
In order to gain entry into Washington D.C., BetMGM has formed a partnership with the Washington Nationals. The Nationals are one of the most popular teams in this area, and it should allow BetMGM to become a leader in the state.
This partnership officially launched the mobile sportsbook app on June 10, and that is the only way to access the site at this time. Bettors do not have to be inside of National Park to use the app, but they do have to be within a two-mile radius of the stadium.
A retail sportsbook is planned for Nationals Park, and it should be open before the end of the 2021 Major League Baseball season. This sportsbook will be set up outside of the gate, and it will be accessible to sports bettors year-round.
Numbers Improve in June
Washington D.C. has struggled to keep up with other sports betting markets in the US, but the June numbers were impressive. The total June sports betting handle was $19.5 million, which was a jump by close to 42%.
The total sports betting gross gaming revenue in June was $1.7 million, which was a significant increase from the $1.4 million in May. All of these numbers are still well short of other markets, but Washington D.C> is finally seeing some growth.
William Hill First on the Scene
Before BetMGM was able to launch sports betting in Washington D.C., William Hill was able to enter the market earlier this Spring. William Hill has partnered with the Washington Wizards, and both retail and online sports betting are available at Capital One Arena.
Not only did William Hill become the first in Washington D.C., but it also became the first retail sportsbook ever to launch at a professional sports venue. This sportsbook is open 365 days a year, and bettors don’t have to wait until the start of the 2021-22 NBA season to visit.
William Hill was recently acquired by Caesars Entertainment, and the name of the sportsbook will likely be changing names in the next few months.
Intralot Facing Scrutiny
Prior to the launch of William Hill and BetMGM, Intralot was the only sports betting option in Washington D.C. Sports bettors in D.C. have complained about the operator since it launched, and now a recent audit is also highlighting some flaws.
In the audit, the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor announced: multiple instances of questionable practices, payments made by an entity that is not the principal contractor, and failure to document whether businesses meet CBE (certified business enterprises) requirements.”
Intralot has disputed these claims, but the fact that the report is out there will have a big impact on the success of this operator.
