Bill would end GambetDC monopoly
The measure, authored by Council member Elissa Silverman, also seeks to terminate the contract of Intralot, the company that developed and runs the city’s GambetDC app. The contract is up for renewal in 2024, but the legislation requires that any future sports betting contracts be made available to competing bidders.
When Intralot won the contract to develop and operate the GambetDC app back in 2019, the city’s former chief financial officer maintained that awarding the contract immediately was the quickest way for the city to earn tax revenues. However, since its launch the app has been plagued by technical issues. In one instance, it failed to accept wagers over the Super Bowl weekend. Its poor performance actually saw the app lose money in 2021.
Washington D.C. Council Considers Bill to Allow Multiple Sports Betting Apps such as Maryland and Virginia. Maryland accepted 10 applications for mobile sports betting operators in the last week while Virginia now has 13 sports betting apps making for a hugely competitive market. As it stands now, privately-owned sports betting apps in D.C. can only operate within a two-block radius of a retails sportsbook. Washington D.C. Council Considers Bill to Allow Multiple Sports Betting Apps Washington D.C. Council Considers Bill to Allow Multiple Sports Betting AppsSilverman’s bill was co-introduced by Council members Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), and Charles Allen (D-Ward 6). There are no indications that the bill will move forward before the end of the council’s two-year legislative session. The session ends this year. If it fails to move, it would then have to be reintroduced in 2023.
