Caesars Sportsbook Set to Take Over Betting Kiosks in Washington D

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
09/13/2024
Sports Betting
Caesars Sportsbook Set to Take Over Betting Kiosks in Washington D
Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Key Takeaways

  • Caesars will launch 53 betting kiosks across the District
  • The Office of Lottery and Gaming requires at least one kiosk to be live by Oct. 1
  • A change in kiosk operators was included as a part of the 2025 budget

Washington D.C.’s sports betting market is changing yet again. 

Caesars Sportsbook has announced that it has been approved to install 53 betting kiosks around the District. The Vegas-based operator will work with the District’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) to replace the kiosks run by now-defunct GamBet DC. While a date for all 53 kiosks to be live was not provided, Caesars must have at least one launched by October 1.

Caesars Gets Key Win in Growing Market

Caesars has had a limited presence in the nation’s capital for a while now, but it has expanded quickly over the last few months. After finding success in the retail market, its online sportsbook is now available throughout the District. Caesars has built a large footprint already, and it is about to get even larger.  

Expect to see the kiosks go live quickly with the NFL and NCAA football seasons underway. Combine that with the sharp increase in handle from a revitalized sports betting market, and you can see the motivation to get things up and running quickly. 

Fallout From 2025 DC Budget Continues

Things changed forever for the District’s sports betting market after the 2025 budget proposal was passed. It included language allowing for more operator licenses to be created and eliminating GameBetDC as an operator.

The budget was approved in June, and the market has exploded. The market now has five operators: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics.

FanDuel was initially meant to take over as the sole operator in the state, but Caesars, DraftKings, and BetMGM opened quickly after the new budget was passed. Fanatics was the most recent operator to join the market, launching on September 12.

Market Expansion Likely to Continue

The District represents one of the country’s smaller sports betting markets, but that hasn’t stopped operators from seeking access. One reason for that is the poor history of the market under GameBetDC. That means we don’t know where the ceiling is for the market’s handle, leading to interest from several large operators.

While the District will want to prevent flooding the market, they seem focused on pushing expansion. The early returns have been impressive, and the licensing fees are helping to make up for the disappointing numbers seen under GameBetDC.

Michael Savio covers the US online casino industry, giving readers insights and information they won’t find anywhere else. He has followed the retail industry since his time living in Las Vegas and has continued to do so as the online industry has taken off. Michael covers everything from online casino reviews to industry news, making him one of the most trusted insiders in the business. Check out Michael’s latest articles at casinos.com to see what he has to offer!