DraftKings unveils plans to enter Washington DC sports betting market

DraftKings announced plans on Tuesday to launch its online sportsbook in Washington, DC, pending regulatory approvals. This move, following a market access agreement with DC United, would make DC the 29th North American jurisdiction where DraftKings operates.

Matt Kalish, President of DraftKings North America, said: “It has been incredible to see legalized sports betting grow rapidly over the past six years, and with plans to launch our online sportsbook in D.C., DraftKings looks forward to expanding its presence in more than half the country.

"We would like to thank the DC Council for creating a path to bring DraftKings’ top-rated sportsbook to the nation’s capital. Together with DC United, we look forward to delivering fans a best-in-class experience through our customer-friendly product."

Washington, DC is home to professional sports teams across MLB, MLS, NBA, WNBA, NWSL, and NHL. The partnership with DC United will allow DraftKings to offer its range of betting options, including same-game parlays, in-game betting, and special odds boosts. 

DC United President of Business Operations Danita Johnson said: "With the DC Council’s recent decision to expand the world of sports betting in DC, we look forward to working with DraftKings to introduce their online sportsbook as another way for DC residents to bet in the city."

DraftKings will join existing operators FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook in the newly competitive Washington, DC market, which was previously monopolized by Intralot’s GamBet DC.

BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook launched citywide mobile operations last week, thanks to a budget provision allowing broader market access. Previously, both operators were limited to offering their platforms within exclusion zones.

The new DC sports betting framework does not cap the number of operators, potentially paving the way for further launches in the future. Besides DraftKings, ESPN Bet and Fanatics Sportsbook are the other two big players yet to go live in the district.