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The Office of Lottery and Gaming in Washington D.C. has chosen FanDuel to take over as the exclusive provider of sports betting in the city, moving away from GambetDC. This change is scheduled to happen this coming spring, though the exact timeline and what will happen to existing GambetDC accounts are yet to be determined.
FanDuel steps in after GambetDC, created by the Greek company Intralot and launched in May 2020, struggled with various problems such as unsatisfactory user experience, uncompetitive betting odds, and software issues.
Despite predictions that GambetDC would boost the city’s coffers by $20 million a year, it has fallen well short of those expectations. Latest data show that the service has contributed just a small portion of the expected revenue, leading to a push for a new direction from both city leaders and the community.
As of January, GambetDC’s revenue contribution to the city stood at slightly over $4.3 million, a stark contrast to the anticipated $84 million at this point in time.
Frank Suarez, the Executive Director of the OLG, praised FanDuel for its potential to invigorate Washington D.C.’s sports betting sector. He said:
“FanDuel’s industry-leading offering will ensure that the District maximizes tax revenue under its existing contracts this year while delivering a best-in-class experience.”
FanDuel has promised to secure at least $45 million in city revenue over its five-year contract and will cover operational costs, including payment processing and advertising expenses, which the city previously handled. Furthermore, FanDuel expects to raise city revenue to $119 million during the contract period.
D.C. Council member Kenyan R. McDuffie voiced his concern over the delay in addressing GambetDC’s underperformance, as reported by The Washington Post. He also mentioned his intention to propose legislation aimed at making the transition process more transparent.
Previously, D.C. residents had only the GambetDC app for placing sports wagers, apart from visiting the few physical sportsbooks located near the city’s professional stadiums.
The announcement from the OLG also included plans to gradually introduce FanDuel-operated betting kiosks throughout the city, with an aim to have them operational by summer.