Fanatics Betting & Gaming continued its torrid expansion pace by launching in the Washington DC market, gaining access through a partnership with the area’s professional women’s soccer team, the Washington Spirit.
Fanatics Kicks Off in DC
Fanatics has been an aggressive late arrival to the mobile sports betting scene in the United States and has recently launched in America’s capital, Washington, DC. This marks the 23rd market in which Fanatics is available, impressive considering the expansion only caught fire after the company purchased PointsBet’s U.S. business for $225 million in June 2023.
The company gained access to the Washington DC market through a partnership with the Washington Spirit of the NWSL. Fanatics is also the team’s official sportsbook, making it the first time the company has teamed with a women’s professional sports franchise.
Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, said, “As we continue to build out our sports betting business, we are excited to partner with the Washington Spirit. We will look to grow the Fanatics Sportsbook alongside the growing popularity of women’s soccer and women’s sports generally across the country.”
“We’re excited to announce our groundbreaking partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook,” said Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone. “This is another indication of the momentum surrounding the Spirit and women’s sports. This collaboration gives us the chance to enter the sports betting space with a trusted brand, all while staying true to our commitment to integrity, empowering women, and creating great experiences for our fans.”
According to Fanatics’ website, “The partnership includes marketing assets such as in-stadium signage, digital marketing, Audi Field activations for soccer fans, and many other opportunities for Spirit fans and ticket holders to engage with Fanatics Sportsbook.”
Caesars Strikes Deal With DC Lottery
Much has changed in Washington, DC’s mobile sports betting industry over the last year. After lawmakers decided to reinvent the wheel and use its own vendor, the Greek gaming company Intralot, to create the disastrous GambetDC.
It wasn’t until dissatisfaction with the mobile gaming platform reached a fever pitch that the District decided to shift to FanDuel in April of this year as its exclusive mobile sports betting vendor. That lasted only a short time until lawmakers rescinded FanDuel’s exclusivity, despite its impressive results, and opened it up to other platform providers.
Caesars operates a retail location at the Capital One Arena but recently struck a deal with the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) as its exclusive provider of over 50 kiosks throughout the DC metro area.
“We appreciate the Office of Lottery and Gaming for providing us the opportunity to further our connection with sports fans in our nation’s capital,” said Caesars Digital President Eric Hession.
“Our self-service betting kiosks are an excellent addition to our sports wagering options in D.C. Whether sports fans prefer a traditional ticket-in-hand wagering experience or want to simply deposit cash for their mobile app account, our kiosks enhance the premier sports betting experience we offer through the combination of options and convenience that supports dozens of small businesses locally,” he added.
