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FanDuel Threatens to End Mobile Betting in Washington DC

Collins Garrett

Updated on June 18, 2024 at 12:43 AM EDT. Read time: 1 min 12 sec. For more information, visit our Twitter and Google News links.

Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan (67) celebrates after a game, as we explore FanDuel's potential termination of sports betting operations in Washington, D.C.
Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan (67) celebrates after a game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on June 16, 2024. Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr. / USA TODAY Sports via Imagn.

FanDuel president Christian Genetski sent a warning letter to Council Chairman Phil Mendelson before the Washington D.C. City Council approved a 2025 budget with provisions to expand the D.C. sports betting market.

The letter cautioned that FanDuel, a top sports betting site, could exercise its termination clause and end its contract to run mobile sports betting for the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) if the budget were to pass.

After the 2025 budget was approved, FanDuel stated that it is dedicated to offering D.C. residents top-quality sports betting services according to its current contract with the Office of Lottery and Gaming. Additionally, the company aims to generate maximum revenue for the District through this agreement.

The budget proposal includes the introduction of a Class C sports betting license, which would permit sportsbooks to form partnerships with local professional sports teams and offer betting platforms accessible throughout the District. FanDuel stands out as the sole sportsbook that can be accessed from any location in Washington D.C. due to its agreement with the OLG.

Geneteski stated in the letter that if the budget is approved, OLG’s District-wide sportsbook operations would no longer include FanDuel. Although the City Council has passed the budget, it still requires Mayor Muriel Bowser’s approval.

Losing FanDuel would be a significant setback for the D.C. government, as the top sportsbook has elevated D.C. sports betting to new levels since replacing GambetDC as the official sports betting partner of the district lottery.

FanDuel has announced its intention to resume offering retail sports betting at Audi Field using its Class A license, with the possibility of applying for a Class C license in the future if it decides to part ways with the OLG. In the event of this split, the OLG will begin the search for a new operator to manage its sports betting activities, replacing Intralot which previously managed the GambetDC platform.

Written By:
Collins Garrett
Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We’re going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won’t catch it, but we’re going to relentlessly chase it,” Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.