D.C. United all set to hit the jackpot!

Article posted by Coliseum, November 13^th, 2020

Image: FanDuel

New York (US)-based sports betting company FanDuel is set to open its first betting lounge at a major US sports stadium next year after announcing plans to launch at D.C. United’s Audi Field.

Audi Field is a soccer-specific stadium in Buzzard Point in Washington, D.C. (US). It is the home stadium for the Major League Soccer (MLS) team D.C. United. The stadium is also used by the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in select matches. The stadium accommodates 20,000 people.

The Washington Spirit is an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that participates in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

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Under the terms of a new agreement, the sportsbook has become the exclusive sports betting sponsor of the Major League Soccer (MLS) team and will open the first retail sportsbook in DC in 2021, pending licensing and regulatory approvals from the D.C. Lottery.

The D.C. Lottery is run by the Government of the District of Columbia, in the United States. The D.C. Lottery is a charter member of the Multi-State Lottery Association. Games offered include Hot Lotto, Powerball, DC Daily 6, DC-5, DC-4, Keno, Mega Millions, and numerous scratch tickets.

In 2018, FanDuel launched FanDuel Sportsbook. FanDuel Sportsbook gives fans more ways to win, whether one likes to bet spreads, moneylines, teasers, props, parlays, or any of the other betting options.

Upon its debut, the FanDuel sportsbook at the 20,000-capacity Audi Field will feature various betting windows and self-service betting terminals available to sports fans 365 days a year. The FanDuel Sportsbook, to be located in one of the current club areas, will allow bets on all major US sports.

“DC United is looking forward to the opportunity of working with a first-rate operator in this new and exciting space,” said Sam Porter, Chief Strategy Officer, D.C. United.

“The FanDuel Sportsbook is best-in-class and we believe their expertise, technology, and product will provide our fans, guests at Audi Field, and the Buzzard Point neighborhood a full-slate of entertainment options,” Porter added.

New York-based FanDuel currently has 12 retail sportsbooks in nine States, including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and provides mobile sports gambling in seven States.

FanDuel – which is a division of Flutter Entertainment – formerly Paddy Power Betfair – opened its first retail location for sports betting at New Jersey’s Meadowlands Racetrack, close to the National Football League’s NFL’s New York Jets and Giants’ MetLife Stadium, in 2018. That launch came soon after the end of the US-wide prohibition on betting, with many States legalizing wagering in the two years since and sports teams and leagues teaming up with sportsbook operators.

Matt King, FanDuel Group’s CEO, remarked, “As we continue to expand our nationwide footprint, joining forces with one of the MLS’ most iconic clubs allows us to bring America’s #1 Sportsbook to the nation’s capital. We are partnering with D.C. United to elevate the fan experience at Audi Field and bring the DMV area an in-person sports gaming experience other parts of the US have come to know and love from FanDuel.”

It is understood D.C. United will receive an annual fee, plus a percentage of every dollar wagered at the location, as per media reports.

D.C. Lottery has a monopoly on mobile betting in DC, meaning other sportsbook operators are restricted to land-based partnerships with one of the jurisdiction’s four local sports venues.

Audi Field hosts over 100 events year-round, including corporate meetings, receptions, galas and music festivals.

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