FanDuel took $78.5m in handle during its three-month run as DC’s sole digital platform
FanDuel earlier this year took over digital sports betting for the lottery, which previously used the much-maligned GamBetDC app provided by contractor Intralot. More than four years after launching GamBetDC, the lottery announced in March that it had subcontracted with FanDuel to take over online wagering. FanDuel went live in April.
Between then and now, the DC Council approved a more competitive market and the lottery allowed Intralot’s sports betting contract to expire on 15 July. Because Intralot was no longer providing digital sports betting services to the lottery, FanDuel temporarily shuttered before relaunching through a partnership with Audi Field days later.
DC sports betting revenue is currently reported by two agencies. The DC Lottery reports financials for its platform – GamBetDC (20 May 2020-15 April 2024) and FanDuel (15 April 2025-15 July 2024). Going forward, the agency will not have a platform. The Office of Lottery and Gaming currently reports financials for brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. That agency should begin reporting financials for live digital operators later this month.
Bettors place 1.9m bets on FanDuel in three months
During FanDuel’s three months as the only District-wide wagering provider, bettors laid down 1.9 million bets. For comparison, between October 2023-July 2024, bettors laid down 1.3 million wagers on GamBetDC’s digital platform and kiosks. FanDuel’s three-month handle was $78.5m (£61.6m/€71.9m). Bettors won $65.5m, meaning FanDuel’s revenue was $13m. It paid the city $4.5m in taxes over three months. In June, FanDuel’s revenue was $3.6m and, in July, it was $1.7m.
Those numbers dwarf the same months in 2023, when GamBetDC was live. Between April-June 2023, DC bettors wagered $16.7m and GamBetDC’s revenue was $1.5m, all of which went to the city.
The lottery reported GamBetDC numbers for June and July, as well. Those numbers are from GamBetDC kiosks around the city that will ultimately be replaced by kiosks from other operators. In June, GamBetDC took $904,336 in wagers and bettors won $796,400. In July, it took $846,527 in bets and bettors won $681,397.
On the retail front, the OLG June report shows that BetMGM’s Nationals Field sportsbook continues to draw bettors. The company took nearly $3m in wagers, but bettors ruled. Hold was 2.76%. Caesars took nearly $2m in bets at its Capital One Arena location, and had hold of 8.3%.
FanDuel also had a low hold at its Audi Field sportsbook – 2.5%. Bettors wagered $518,871.
All three operators could also offer digital betting within two blocks of the sports venues in June. BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook were able to remove the geofences in mid-July and go District-wide.