Fanduel, one of the leading sports betting companies in the United States, has announced that it will stop taking bets in Washington, D.C., as it awaits Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to sign the city’s budget that would legalize sports betting.
The move comes as a surprise to many in the industry, as Fanduel had been one of the most vocal proponents of legalizing sports betting in D.C. However, the company’s decision to halt operations in the city underscores the uncertainty surrounding the future of sports betting in the nation’s capital.
Fanduel first entered the D.C. market in 2019, when the city council passed legislation legalizing sports betting. Since then, the company has operated a popular sportsbook at the Capital One Arena, home to the Washington Wizards and Capitals.
However, the future of sports betting in D.C. has been thrown into doubt in recent months, as the city council and Mayor Bowser have been locked in a contentious debate over the budget. The city’s budget includes provisions that would legalize mobile sports betting, but Mayor Bowser has so far refused to sign the budget into law.
In a statement released today, Fanduel explained that it had no choice but to suspend operations in D.C. until the budget is signed into law. The company stated that it remains committed to the D.C. market and hopes to resume operations as soon as possible.
The news has sparked concern among sports betting enthusiasts in D.C., who have grown accustomed to the convenience of betting on their favorite teams through Fanduel’s mobile app. Many are worried that the delay in legalizing sports betting could drive customers to illegal offshore betting sites.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of sports betting in D.C., Fanduel remains optimistic that Mayor Bowser will ultimately sign the budget, paving the way for a thriving sports betting market in the city. In the meantime, the company is urging customers to stay patient and promising to keep them updated on any developments.
As D.C. residents eagerly await Mayor Bowser’s decision, the fate of sports betting in the nation’s capital hangs in the balance. Will Fanduel be able to resume operations in D.C., or will the company be forced to find a new home for its popular sportsbook? Only time will tell.
