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FanDuel continues to dominate the Washington, D.C. sports betting market, even after the recent entry of Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings into the online sports betting space. The Office of Lottery and Gaming reported a total of $39.6 million in sports bets for August 2024, with FanDuel leading the way.
The district’s online sports betting market expanded in mid-July, allowing up to seven operators to enter the market. Despite the increased competition, FanDuel remains the top choice for bettors.
Since taking over from GambetDC in April, FanDuel has been the preferred sports betting operator in Washington, D.C. In August, FanDuel reported $21.7 million in total sports betting handle, resulting in $2.7 million in gross gaming revenue and over $550,000 paid in taxes to the district.
Even with the addition of three other operators, FanDuel’s strong performance reflects the trust and popularity it has built among bettors in the district.
Here are the full handle and tax revenue totals for August:
The Washington D.C. City Council approved a new fiscal budget in June, allowing up to seven online sports betting operators to do business in the district. By mid-July, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings joined FanDuel in the online betting space. Unlike the others, DraftKings only holds an online sports betting license, while the rest also operate retail sportsbooks in D.C.
Fanatics Sportsbook entered the Washington, D.C. market last week through a partnership with the Washington Spirit, becoming the team’s official sports betting partner. The sportsbook launched on Thursday, Sept. 12, marking Fanatics Betting and Gaming’s first sponsorship deal with a professional women’s sports organization.
Fanatics Sportsbook operates under a newly introduced Type-C license, which was made available following the City Council’s decision to expand the online sports betting market. The Type-C license allows sports franchises to partner with a sports betting operator to conduct online sports betting and is taxed at 30% of gross gaming revenue. The license costs $2 million for a five-year term, with a $1 million renewal fee after the initial term.
Despite the entry of new operators, FanDuel remains the dominant player in the Washington, D.C. sports betting market. The sportsbook’s ability to maintain a strong handle and generate significant tax revenue underscores its position as the top choice for D.C. bettors. As Fanatics Sportsbook enters the scene and other operators establish themselves, it will be interesting to see how the competitive landscape evolves in the coming months.
Gannett, a leading mass media holding company, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with BetMGM, a prominent operator in sports betting and iGaming. The collaboration designates BetMGM as the preferred sportsbook and casino partner for USA TODAY Sports, a move set to integrate sports betting odds and information across Gannett’s extensive network of publications.
Through this partnership, BetMGM’s betting odds, including spreads, moneylines, and over/under features, will be seamlessly incorporated into USA TODAY Sports content. Gannett’s USA TODAY Network spans more than 200 local markets and over 300 digital brands across 43 states, giving the sportsbook operator an enormous platform to reach sports fans across the country.
Michael Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gannett, highlighted the partnership’s potential to significantly enhance the company’s sports content offering and its monetization:
“We anticipate this collaboration will immediately lead to an increase in the overall monetisation of our content platform,” Reed said.
As part of the deal, BetMGM will be featured prominently across Gannett’s digital properties, with placements in website footers and other key areas within the USA TODAY Network, boosting visibility and engagement. The integration aims to provide over 44 million sports fans with betting information as they follow their favorite teams, particularly with the football season underway.
Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, expressed excitement about the collaboration:
“By integrating odds and insights seamlessly into Gannett’s content, we’re empowering fans to stay informed and engaged with their favourite teams,” Greenblatt said, adding that the partnership would enhance excitement around sports betting, particularly throughout the football season.
In addition to Gannett’s integration, Gambling.com Group will support the partnership by delivering BetMGM’s sports betting offers and expert insights to the USA TODAY Network’s sports audience. The group will leverage its proprietary advertising technology to ensure a smooth and effective reach in states where online gambling is regulated.
The push to legalize sports betting in Missouri continues to gain traction, with the latest poll showing strong support for Amendment 2, the sports betting initiative on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
According to a recent Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey of 850 Missouri voters, a majority of respondents are in favor of legalizing sports betting, despite an increasingly well-funded opposition campaign.
The survey reveals that 52% of likely voters support Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in the state. Only 25% of respondents are opposed, while the remaining voters are undecided. Men are particularly in favor, with 59% supporting the measure, compared to 46% of women.
Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for the Winning for Education Missouri campaign, highlighted the potential benefits of legal sports betting:
“The revenue generated from legal sports betting will support our schools and provide much-needed funding to improve education across the state.”
A similar poll conducted in August by Saint Louis University (SLU)/YouGov found that 50% of voters supported legal sports betting, with 30% opposed.
Younger voters, particularly those aged 18 to 29, are the most enthusiastic about legalizing sports betting, with 64% supporting the measure. Support declines with age, as only 44% of voters aged 65 and over said they would vote in favor of the amendment.
Additionally, those with higher education levels and incomes are more likely to support the sports betting amendment compared to those with lower educational backgrounds and incomes.
A growing opposition campaign, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, officially filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission on Sept. 10 to oppose the initiative. The campaign has received more than $4 million in funding from Caesars Entertainment, which is not in favor of the current ballot measure.
Caesars’ opposition stems from the fact that the initiative would only provide the company with one online sportsbook license if the amendment is passed. This limitation contrasts with previous versions of Missouri’s sports betting legislation, which would have allowed multiple online sports betting licenses per casino.
Under the proposed Amendment 2, each Missouri casino and sports team would be eligible for one retail and one online sports betting license. Additionally, two untethered licenses would be available to other sports betting operators without ties to existing casinos or teams.
While some gaming companies like DraftKings and FanDuel have supported the amendment and would be eligible for untethered licenses, Caesars has pushed back against the initiative, funding the opposition campaign through contributions from its three Missouri casinos:
As the November 5 vote approaches, the debate over Amendment 2 is intensifying, with both supporters and opponents ramping up their efforts to sway Missouri voters. Should the initiative pass, Missouri could join a growing list of states that have legalized sports betting, providing new revenue streams for education and other public services.
Bovada, the offshore and illegally operated gaming company, has further restricted its access in the United States by adding Kansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania to its growing list of blocked markets. This latest move follows a string of cease-and-desist notices issued by state gaming commissions, signaling an intensified crackdown on illegal gaming operators.
With these additions, Bovada now restricts access in 13 states and Washington, D.C.
A clear pattern has emerged in how Bovada responds to state pressure. State gaming commissions typically send a cease-and-desist notice to Bovada, urging the operator to stop offering services within their boundaries. In most cases, Bovada neither acknowledges receipt nor responds to the notice. After some time, the state is simply added to the operator’s restricted access list.
The same scenario played out with the recent additions of Kansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.
In Kansas, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) issued a notice to Bovada on July 8. According to James Bain, enforcement attorney for the KRGC, Bovada did not officially acknowledge or sign for the notice, but the commission received a delivery confirmation on August 20. Bovada then quietly restricted access for users in Kansas without any formal communication.
“Our main goal is to ensure that the betting public in Kansas is protected and playing on licensed, regulated, and taxed sites,” said Randy Evans, government relations manager for the KRGC. He emphasized the importance of protecting bettors, particularly regarding issues like payouts and bet disputes.
A similar situation unfolded in Louisiana, where the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) sent a cease-and-desist notice to Bovada’s parent company, Harp Media B.V., on August 6. In the notice, Christopher B. Hebert, chairman of the LGCB, detailed how Bovada was operating illegally by offering various gambling options, including sportsbook, iGaming, table games, poker, and horse racing. These offerings violate Louisiana’s gaming laws and regulations due to Bovada’s lack of proper licensing in the state.
Pennsylvania also acted against Bovada, sending its notice in late August, according to a representative from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Bovada’s access continues to dwindle in the U.S. as more state regulators take action against the operator. Currently, users from the following states and districts are restricted from accessing the platform:
Earlier this year, Bovada restricted access in Ohio, marking its 11th market removal, followed by Washington, D.C., and Connecticut in July. With more state gaming commissions issuing cease-and-desist notices, the company’s presence in the U.S. is rapidly diminishing.
As more states legalize and regulate online gambling, state authorities are increasingly cracking down on offshore operators like Bovada. The wave of cease-and-desist notices and state restrictions highlights the growing effort to ensure that bettors are using licensed, regulated platforms that offer consumer protection and generate tax revenue for the states.
Maine officially entered the in-person sports betting arena on Friday, September 13, with the first legal sports bet placed at Oddfellahs, a downtown Portland sportsbook powered by Caesars Sportsbook. This significant launch marks a new chapter in the state’s gambling landscape.
The launch of the Caesars Sportsbook at Oddfellahs is the result of a partnership between Caesars and First Tracks Investments LLC. The Portland sports bar now offers both self-service betting kiosks and a ticket window, allowing customers to place bets in person. Additionally, bettors can deposit and withdraw funds from their Caesars Sportsbook mobile accounts at the venue.
Michael Cianchette, CEO of First Tracks Investments, expressed excitement over the launch:
“This is an exciting venture for Maine’s harness racing industry, Wabanaki tribes, and sports fans across the state to access a new entertainment venue. We’re excited for whatever comes next and look forward to providing sustainable, responsible opportunities.”
The ceremonial first bet at the sportsbook was placed by Portland Mayor Mark Dion, who bet $20 on the Los Angeles Chargers to beat the Carolina Panthers. With the Chargers listed as -250 favorites, Mayor Dion’s bet resulted in a total payout of $28 when the Chargers won the game 26-3.
Representatives from Caesars Sportsbook, First Tracks, the Portland City Council, and the Maine Gambling Control Unit joined Mayor Dion for the event. Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital, extended his gratitude to local and state officials for making the launch possible, highlighting the potential for further collaboration with First Tracks to expand in-person sports betting in the state.
The launch in Portland follows the success of mobile sports betting in Maine, which began with Caesars‘ partnership with three of the Wabanaki Nations. With in-person sports betting now operational, Maine is poised for further growth in the sports gambling industry.
However, not all news in Maine’s gambling scene has been positive. Milton Champion, the head of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, has come under scrutiny. Members of the Maine Service Employees Association, including the state’s nine casino inspectors, signed a “vote of no confidence” against Champion. The inspectors raised concerns over his leadership, accusing him of making decisions that could compromise the Gambling Control Unit’s ability to regulate Maine casinos effectively and transparently.
Champion, who has faced previous challenges, including a temporary leave for inappropriate social media posts, continues to face criticism from within the industry.
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