With the D.C. sportsbook marketplace undergoing a summer of major shakeups, Caesars Sportsbook has put its stamp on the nation’s capital with a major expansion effort.
According to a Tuesday release, Caesars Entertainment is set to add a host of self-service kiosks across the District of Columbia, effectively replacing the recently shuttered GambetDC at Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) licensed retail locations.
“We appreciate the Office of Lottery and Gaming for providing us the opportunity to further our connection with sports fans in our nation’s capital,” Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital said via the release. “Our self-service betting kiosks are an excellent addition to our sports wagering options in D.C."
Previously, Caesars had only offered in-person sports betting at Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals, between 2021 and this past July, when its operation expanded following D.C. regulatory changes.
“D.C. residents and visitors will soon have access to best-in-class sports wagering kiosks at retail locations across the city,” said Eugene Vlasenko, interim executive director of OLG. “We are pleased to partner with Caesars, a key industry player and the leader in retail sport betting operations, which is demonstrating its commitment to the D.C. community.”
Shifting landscape
The move continues a trend of increased competition within the Washington, D.C. legal sports betting marketplace since the Gambet shutdown earlier this year.
In addition to Caesar’s increased presence, FanDuel has maintained a prominent place in the marketplace after taking over Intralot’s license over the summer. BetMGM has also expanded its reach following the removal of restrictions on its own operational radius.
The District of Columbia's sports betting expansion has served as something of a case study in the role of government sportsbooks in an increasingly competitive market. Continued industry-wide pushes for large, competitive markets have largely closed the door on many such monopolies, as government sportsbook caps continue to become obsolete given the market’s high barrier to entry.
