FanDuel, a leading online gambling firm based in New York, is taking over the D.C.’s troubled sports wagering application called GambetDC app.
Washington’s main online sports wagering platform:
The D.C.’s Office of Lottery and Gaming revealed on March 9 that mobile wagering app of FanDuel will become the main online sports wagering platform in the U.S. capital, replacing the GambetDC app, beginning this coming spring. In addition, Intralot, the Greek firm that has operated GambetDC since the launch of mobile sports wagering in Washington D.C. back in 2020, will proceed its role as a vendor to the aforementioned Office of Lottery and Gaming, but will also start subcontracting GambetDC in-store gaming kiosks and the mobile wagering app to FanDuel.
Commenting on the matter, in a statement, the executive director of the D.C.’s Office of Lottery and Gaming, Frank Suarez, commented: “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 for residents 18 and over.”
Relatedly, during the earlier period of this year, officials of the aforementioned D.C.’s Office of Lottery and Gaming said that they wanted to leave the GambetDC platform and enter into an alliance with a major renowned operator in the hope of collecting additional income from mobile wagering.
In this sense, Fanduel seemed like an obvious choice as it is one of the leaders when it comes to sports gambling. It also operates a bookie at Sports & Social in Bethesda. Additionally, its application is the most famous in America in terms of total number of clients. But that’s not all, as it also has the largest market share in Virginia and Maryland.
GambetDC app has no competition from other mobile wagering apps in Washington:
Although FanDuel is set to replace GambetDC in Washington as mentioned above, the said app is still considered responsible for over one-third of all wagered dollars in D.C., despite many problems involving poor odds, bettors complaints and technical issues. This is mainly because there is almost no rivalry from the rest of the mobile wagering apps, according to the Washington Business Journal.
Relatedly, due to constant problems with the aforementioned app, residents of D.C. have found an alternative solution to that problem, which is to download apps offered in Virginia or Maryland, such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, as well as cross state borders to place their wagers via mobile devices which is a problem as sports wagering apps may only be utilized in territories where they are officially licensed. Also, Virginia offers sixteen mobile wagering apps and Maryland offers a dozen, however, the single mobile wagering app available to all Washington residents is the GambetDC.
Gambet DC’s major under performance:
The GambetDC app has been a major underachiever, meaning it collected only a fraction of the yearly income lottery officials expected when Intralot won the controversial no-bid agreement back in 2019.
On a related note, in the FY which ended on September 30, players bet $69.6m at in-store kiosks and on the aforementioned app from nearly $116.2m wagered at the city’s 5 bookies, based on information obtained from the Office of Lottery and Gaming.