On Wednesday (12 June) the DC Council took the first step toward opening the city's sports betting market by approving a FY2025 budget that includes the Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024. The council unanimously approved the budget during a legislative meeting. There will be a second vote as early as next week.
The decision to open the market was not without controversy. An amendment that would have removed the new sports betting plan was defeated, 4-9, after heated discussion. Two key issues around DC sports betting were at play on Wednesday. Some council members said they were concerned about the “speed” at which the change has moved forward. Others said small businesses that currently benefit from having wagering kiosks could lose the opportunity.
In the current scenario, the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has a monopoly on online wagering. As of April, FanDuel was the only operator that could offer digital betting throughout the District. BetMGM and Caesars Sportsb..
