The District of Colombia’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has revealed that it will launch the application process for new sports betting licenses in Washington D.C. on December 3.
Applications will be available via an online portal on the OLG’s new sports wagering microsite dclotterysportsbetting.com, as well as through the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affair’s business licensing portal dcra.dc.gov.
The online portal will contain forms and instructions for applicants seeking a sports wagering license in the operator (Class A and Class B), management service provider and supplier categories. Occupational license applications will be made available from early January 2020.
Potential applicants for licenses are advised to contact the OLG Regulation and Oversight Department to arrange a ‘scope of licensing’ meeting before starting their application process, in order to see what they must do to apply.
Applicants will submit substantial information and documentation to help the OLG in determining their qualifications for a license. In addition, applicants will be required to undergo a comprehensive background investigation to determine their suitability for the market.
“Our team has been working to establish a framework for regulating sports wagering that is fair and fosters public confidence and trust in the process while generating new revenue for the District,” OLG executive director Beth Bresnahan said. “We look forward to receiving applications and to the sports wagering industry soon launching in the District of Columbia.”
The OLG will post an application status report for all operator and management services provider applications it receives. This will include the applicant’s name and principals, location of its proposed sportsbook and application status or outcome of review.
For applications in the supplier category, the OLG will post the applicant’s name, location of its business, a description of its services and status or outcome of its application review.
“OLG is committed to expediting the licensing process which will be fair and transparent, but thorough,” Bresnahan said.
In January, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed off on the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act, with Intralot then awarded a contract to operate lottery services and sports betting.
However, a D.C court in September ruled to temporarily suspend the deal and delay the launch of a regulated market. The court ruling indicated there was a “substantial likelihood” a lawsuit alleging the deal violates federal law would succeed.
Mobile app developer Dylan Carragher filed the lawsuit against D.C, saying the deal violated the Home Rule Act that established the powers of Washington D.C.
Carragher — who has created a sports betting app of his own — said the no-bid nature of the Intralot deal “ultimately violates DC citizens’ rights to receive fair and competitive prices for the contractual services provided to the government.”
The deal between Intralot and the D.C. Lottery states that the supplier would have powered a citywide mobile offering, as well betting via lottery retailers. The contract would also allow for businesses such as bars and stadia to apply for wagering licences.
Bars could offer betting, while stadiums would be permitted to roll out mobile betting within a designated exclusivity zone around the venue. However, D.C. sports wagering law states that licensees cannot run a sportsbook without also providing food and beverage and other offerings.