BetMGM is ready to play ball in the nation’s capital after five months when the company announced a partnership with the Washington Nationals.
The Entain owned MGM Resort International has announced on Thursday that the company is launching its mobile sports betting mobile applications and about to go live in the District of Columbia. As per DC’s sports betting law, the mobile application is only available for use with a two-block radius around Nationals Park.
Later this year, BetMGM also planned to open a retail sportsbook that is connected to the ballpark.
COO of Nationals owner Lerner Sports Group, Alan Gottlieb, explained in his statement, “The BetMGM mobile app will enable our fans to engage with the game in new and exciting ways, while the BetMGM sportsbook connected to Nationals Park will provide Nationals fans and the D.C. community with a first-class gathering place to celebrate their passion for sports.”
National Park is not the only one of the MLB teams that has sight of sports betting. The Chicago Cubs from Illinois have announced their plans to have DraftKings operate a sportsbook at or near Wrigley Field. Additionally, the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds which were MLB franchises and are among the pro sports teams lobbying state lawmakers there for licenses.
BetMGM claims the sports betting mobile application is ready for use and the Book’s website lists DC as a potential market. However, the DV Lottery is yet to showcase its approval and yet to update the same on the same.
Sports Betting is run in the District of Columbia by DC Lottery. They have an ongoing contract with Intralot to offer online wagering through the mobile application called GambetDC.
Additionally, DC officials allow local operators to hold the license, which allows operators to provide in-person and limited sport-betting. Sports arenas like Capital One Arena and National Parks are also allowed to hold Type A licenses, while restaurants and bars can hold Type B licenses.
William Hill started operating its world-class operating retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena for Sports Betting, which also owns the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards. Sports betting received its approval in December to offer mobile applications for gambling.
Like Nationals BetMGM systems, William Hill’s mobile application is also applicable to work in a two-block radius around the arena.
According to the lottery office resorts, apart from the marked territorial advantage that GambetDc holds over William Hill, it’s the latter that’s the big winner so far.