BetMGM is to be the official betting partner of the Washington Nationals.
As part of the agreement BetMGM will open a sportsbook connected to the team’s Nationals Park.
It will also launch a mobile app within the permitted area around the stadium.
The sportsbook outlet will not be accessible by fans while in attendance at a Nationals game. But they will be able to place bets via BetMGM’s mobile app.
Minimal license take up
Betting is regulated in D.C. with physical sportsbooks allowed in bars, restaurants and stadiums.
However, there has been minimal take up of licenses so far and mobile betting is tightly regulated.
William Hill operates a betting outlet and mobile app at the Capital One Arena, the home of the Wizards and the Capitals.
This makes BetMGM only the second private brand to launch in D.C.
The D.C. Lottery’s betting website GambetDC is live and is the only brand allowed to take mobile bets across the metro area.
However, the rules also stipulate that players are not able to bet with GambetDC within two blocks of Capital One Arena and other major sports grounds. This includes Nationals Park.
Such restrictions might hint at some of the reasons behind GambetDC’s poor performance so far. That and what is seen as being an inferior mobile app, of course.
Micro-markets added to GambetDC offer
In an attempt to retrieve the situation, GamBet will soon be deploying a new micro-bet offering from SimpleBet. The company claims it is a U.S. first.
Micro-betting will go live in D.C. via the company’s partnership with Intralot, which operates GambetDC.
Micro-market product automates betting market mechanics including the creation, suspension, repricing and results for specific on-field events. In effect, it is another in-play option.
Intralot hopes the new betting markets will increase engagement and customer lifetime values. Time – and the revenue performance – will tell.
Bettis brand ambassador for BetRivers
Lastly, BetRivers has signed an exclusive content deal with Jerome Bettis, one of the great running backs in NFL history.
Bettis will be the company’s brand ambassador and spokesperson, promoting the sportsbook on BetRivers’ platforms.
