Caesars will officially take over Washington DC sports betting kiosks from Intralot, as announced by the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) on Monday. This shift marks a significant change in DC’s sports betting landscape, with Caesars now responsible for providing kiosks to up to 53 DC Lottery retailers by October 1st.
In addition to installing sports wagering kiosks, Caesars may also place point-of-sale terminals at retailers for customers to cash out their betting tickets.
Policy Shift in Washington DC Sports Betting
The change comes after the DC Council amended its sports betting policies in June 2023 as part of the 2025 fiscal budget. These changes eliminated the GambetDC app from the market and opened the District of Columbia to licensed sports betting brands like Caesars, BetMGM, and FanDuel, allowing them to offer their mobile betting apps across the entire district. Previously, mobile betting from these operators was limited to a two-block radius around their partnered sports venue.
With the new rules, DC residents can now use licensed brands like Caesars throughout the District, offering more choices for sports betting enthusiasts.
Caesars’ Financial Agreement with the DC Lottery
Under the terms of the deal, Caesars will share 40% of gross gaming revenue with the OLG for exclusive rights to operate the sports betting kiosks in the district. Additionally, both Caesars and the OLG will pay retailer commissions:
- 2.5% for sports betting retail sales
- 0.5% for sports betting winnings cashed at retail locations
Caesars will also pay a 1% commission on verified cash deposits made at licensed retailers for mobile betting accounts.
All costs associated with operating the kiosks will be covered by Caesars, meaning that if there is any financial loss in a given month, the company will be responsible for paying the overage.
GambetDC’s Struggles and the Transition to Caesars
The transition from GambetDC to Caesars marks the end of a troubled run for GambetDC, which faced significant challenges since its launch in May 2020. Despite the district-wide availability of the GambetDC app, many bettors preferred to use in-person William Hill betting kiosks (now owned by Caesars) during the Covid-19 pandemic, given GambetDC’s less competitive odds.
GambetDC’s business model aimed to hold around 20%, leading to odds that differed significantly from other US sports betting operators. This prompted criticisms from bettors and consistent missed financial projections, requiring the DC Lottery to repeatedly defend the product before the DC Council.
Future of DC Sports Betting with Caesars
The switch to Caesars marks a new chapter for Washington DC’s sports betting market, which now aligns more closely with other US jurisdictions that have embraced private operators. With Caesars managing the kiosks and entering the mobile market without the previous restrictions, DC sports bettors can expect a more competitive and streamlined experience moving forward.
