BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook went live across Washington, DC on Wednesday (17 July). Previously both operators could only offer their platforms in exclusion zones.
The launch is two days later than both operators planned. But they had to await the FY2025 budget being in force.
The budget includes provisions that open the market from a monopoly to a competitive landscape. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser did not sign or veto the budget. Her deadline to do so was 25 July. Instead, she sent it back to the DC Council. The move allows BetMGM and Caesars to begin offering their platforms throughout the city.
Bowser’s press secretary told Sports Handle that Bowser’s non-action “will still permit” the expansion. By sending it back, Bowser was demonstrating that she had “objections to several elements of the budget”. Given the contentious history of sports betting in DC, the expansion could be one of those objections.
Neverthelesss, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook announced on Wednesday that they had..