On Tuesday, Caesars announced it would be installing 53 sports betting kiosks at small businesses throughout Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the District’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG).
The Caesars Sportsbook kiosks, which will accept cash deposits to mobile accounts as well as wagers, replace those run by the District’s former primary sports betting operator, GambetDC. That outfit’s frequently criticized tenure in the nation’s capital was described as “a shitshow from the word go” by an industry consultant who spoke with Action Network’s sister site, Sports Handle, in January.
“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 in a press release. “Our self-service betting kiosks are an excellent addition to our sports wagering options in D.C. Whether sports fans prefer a traditional ticket-in-hand wagering experience or want to simply deposit cash for their mobile app account, our kiosks enhance the premier sports betting experience we offer through the combination of options and convenience that supports dozens of small businesses locally.”
A Rapidly Changing Landscape
After it became apparent that GambetDC would not have its contract renewed to operate the District’s sports betting apparatus, the OLG turned to FanDuel to be its exclusive operator this past spring.
At that juncture, it appeared as though FanDuel would assume control of the existing kiosk locations, but a subsequent budget amendment opened up the marketplace to multiple operators, including Caesars, BetMGM and DraftKings. Ultimately, it was Caesars that the OLG selected to revive the vacated kiosks.
Caesars has long had a retail presence in D.C. In 2021, it opened the first sportsbook in an American pro sports venue at Capital One Arena, home of the NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals.
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