The District of Columbia’s long march to legal sports gambling will hit a key stretch in the coming weeks.
The D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) announced it will begin to release sports
wagering license applications on 3 December.
D.C.’s efforts to move forward with sports betting were delayed by a September court order in response to a lawsuit claiming District Lottery officials illegally awarded a $215m contract to Intralot without bidding from other vendors.
The order was lifted in October, allowing for the implementation of sports betting to continue.
OLG Executive Director Beth Bresnahan said: "Our team has been working to establish a
framework for regulating sports wagering that is fair and fosters public confidence and trust in the process while generating new revenue for the District.
"We look forward to receiving applications and to the sports wagering industry soon launching in the District of Columbia.”
The OLG will offer Class A and Class B licenses.
Class A licenses are limited to four professional sports venues: Nationals Park, Audi Field,
Capital One Arena and St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena.
Class B licenses authorize sports wagering at local businesses including bars, restaurants and hotels. Physical and mobile betting will be permitted within the physical confines of the business.
City council members approved the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 last
December and it was signed into law in January.
