Kim Stone, CEO of the Washington Spirit team that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League, has voiced her support for an open sports betting market in the capital.
In a statement on the team’s website, Stone highlights the potential revenue-generating opportunities an open betting market will bring to women and minority-owned businesses in the District. Her announcement comes amidst discussions the D.C. City Council is currently holding to consider legislation that will allow more sportsbooks to operate in the city.
“Currently, the District only allows a single sports betting platform to operate, creating a monopoly that stifles competition and leaves out local businesses, sports teams, and media partners,” said Stone. “When only one sportsbook controls the market, there is less incentive to create lucrative marketing deals and partnerships. These partnerships could be worth tens of millions of dollars, especially for local businesses more likely to be women, minority, and Black-owned in D.C.”
After being announced in March 2024, FanDuel replaced GambetDC to become the District’s only betting platform available throughout the city. GambetDC was operated by the DC Lottery.
Commercial sportsbook apps BetMGM and Caesars are currently available in Washington, D.C., but only within a two-block radius of the brands’ retail betting facilities, located in Nationals Park and Capital One Arena, respectively.
The Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024 (B25-0753), introduced by councilmember Kenyan McDuffie in March, would allow players to access sportsbooks from anywhere in Washington D.C. while three online skins would be available through Class A mobile licenses for operators that partner with local sports stadiums. The proposal also includes Class C licenses, which allow D.C. sports betting operators to partner with sports teams that play at least 90% of their home games in the District.
“Under the current system, minority-owned businesses must compete for a limited budget from a single sportsbook. In a competitive market, multiple sportsbooks would vie for the chance to partner with organizations like ours, expanding the opportunities for everyone involved,” Stone added.
