Elys Game Technology and Grand Central get DC sports betting license

Next step in partnership permits property to operate a sportsbook.

Elys Game Technology has today announced, in conjunction with Grand Central LLC, who owns and operates the Grand Central Restaurant & Bar in Washington, DC, the earning of a class B operator license for Washington, DC, which will allow a sportsbook to operate within the Grand Central Restaurant & Bar.  

The Class B license allows a full-service sportsbook with no restrictions on maximum bets and where all winnings can be redeemed on-site to be opened. Elys will provide Grand Central with its turnkey retail betting platform and kiosk hardware. The sports betting company will also provide the property with back-office and business intelligence, odds and event offerings, risk management and trading services.  

“We’ve been a part of the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood since Grand Central opened in 2007,” said Grand Central owner Brian Vasile. “We’re looking forward to offering our customers an extraordinary experience to wager on their favorite teams while enjoying our signature dishes and beverages, or gathering for team events and special games, or even just dropping in to place a wager. We’re very honored to have been approved as the first class B licensed operator by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming, and believe that our establishment will serve as a showcase example for this operational model and a key role in the economic growth of this rooted residential and commercial neighborhood, as well as the greater DC area.” 

Grand Central expects sports betting to launch on its property around October 2021, with the on-premise app launching in 2022. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be granted our first US-based sports wagering license and are looking forward to launching our Elys Gameboard US platform at Grand Central Restaurant & Bar, in Washington, DC, “added Michele Ciavarella, Elys’ executive chairman. “We also wish to recognize Brian Vasile, his partners and staff who worked tirelessly with our engineering team housed within our group technology subsidiary, Odissea, and our US operations team to achieve this significant accomplishment. We also believe that this model could be adopted across multiple states to support local and growing businesses, and that Grand Central can become the quintessential model for operating a sportsbook within a business that is accessible by all fans of sports.” 

This news comes as part of Elys’ plans to offer sports wagering solutions to independent casinos throughout the US and Canada. The company is currently live in five states with six tribal casinos.

Henry Moore

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