Now that the online sports betting market has been opened up in the nation’s capital, DraftKings wants to be a part of the action.
The sportsbook intends to bring its brand to the district through its partnership with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United.
Once approved by gaming regulators, DraftKings would become the fourth operator in the Washington D.C. online sports betting industry.
No launch date has been set
Earlier this week, DraftKings released a statement announcing its intention to operate its popular sportsbook in DC. DraftKings currently operates in 28 states. Along with FanDuel, it consistently dominates the markets it operates in.
No launch date in the district has been announced. DraftKings’ partnership with D.C. United provides it access to a sports betting license. Likely, all that will be required to gain approval from DC gaming regulators is a controlled demonstration.
DraftKings’ North American President Matt Kalish sees it as a done deal.
“It has been incredible to see legalized sports betting grow rapidly over the past six years, and with plans to launch our online sportsbook in DC, DraftKings looks forward to expanding its presence in more than half the country. We would like to thank the DC Council for creating a path to bring DraftKings’ top-rated sportsbook to the nation’s capital. Together with D.C. United, we look forward to delivering fans a best-in-class experience through our customer-friendly product.”
D.C. United President of Business Operations Danita Johnson welcomed its partner to the DC online sports betting market.
“With the DC Council’s recent decision to expand the world of sports betting in DC, we look forward to working with DraftKings to introduce their online sportsbook as another way for DC residents to bet in the city. Our goal is to always make every fan experience seamless, and this platform will help us to deliver on that promise.”
ESPN BET and Fanatics could be next
Once DraftKings launches, it would join FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars as available online sportsbooks in the nation’s capital.
Up until April, Intralot had a monopoly on the mobile sports betting market in DC through its sportsbook GamBet. But after struggling for years, FanDuel took over as the sole operator in DC and thrived immediately.
That changed earlier this month when DC opened the market to other sportsbooks. Over the next year, other operators will look to follow DraftKing’s lead. There are no rules regarding how many operators can be active in the DC online sports betting market.
ESPN BET and Fanatics Sportsbook, in particular, could be eying entry. However, getting a late start in the DC sports betting industry could hinder their success, as it has in other US markets.