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FanDuel Shuts Down in DC While Market Organizes Ahead of Possible Expansion

Sean Tomlinson

Last Updated: July 18, 2024 7:24 AM EDT • 1 min 12 sec read.

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams draws a walk during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park as we looking at FanDuel going dark in Washington DC.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams draws a walk during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr/USA TODAY Sports.

It's been a turbulent time in DC, which was home to one of the best sports betting apps until recently.

FanDuel, regularly among the best sportsbooks, ceased operations on Tuesday in the district. Its app was highly popular among DC bettors and has been the only district-wide option since replacing GambetDC in April.

The issue lies in a stalled budget, and a disagreement as local politicians look to get it across the line.

A budget and expansion in limbo

Mayor Muriel Bowser returned the $21-million budget to the council. The hopes to expand the DC sports betting market rest with the approval of the budget, which would go into effect in August.

That would also come with more access to DC sportsbook promos. However, according to Axios, Bowser dug in while calling for more tax cuts, among other criticisms.

A central issue is the decision to enact a "mansion tax," and Bowser is generally unhappy with the potential for a heavier tax burden on citizens.

"Let’s be clear: the council’s fiscal decisions are setting the stage for additional tax hikes for our residents and businesses next year," she said in a letter.

At least for now, the impact on FanDuel and other sportsbooks is a freeze, limiting DC sportsbook promos available district-wide.

Uncertainty ahead

Cuneyt Dil of Axios reported that FanDuel told users it no longer holds the authorization to run its app or online wagering partnership at DC United’s Audi Field. Those in the state were then left without their sole online sportsbook.

Recent regulatory changes would have given more access to the best sports betting sites as of July 15, when BetMGM and Caesars confirmed plans to expand their presence. But that can't proceed without a budget in place.

Prior to those changes, FanDuel essentially operated as a monopoly, and the book threatened to terminate its agreement if lawmakers passed a budget that opened up the state.

Bowser's move on Tuesday isn't a full veto of the budget, but there are now decisions to be made at the mayor's office and city council.

Written By:
Sean Tomlinson
Sean Tomlinson has been in the sports media wilderness since 2009, and he joined Sportsbook Review in 2021. His work has been referenced in The New York Times and Forbes. He's also made appearances on The Fan 590 and TSN 1050. Sean is a regular bettor who places bets daily while using a handful of books. Most frequently, he uses FanDuel and bet365 due to the quality experience on those apps. While he'll often take an analytical approach, Sean enjoys the fun, recreational side of betting too, and embraces alternative markets on events like the Westminster Dog Show or Eurovision, or the many novelty props tied annually to the Super Bowl, for example. Beyond sports, Sean is also interested in the betting markets tied to politics, and especially those connected to American elections. He sees betting as a way to explore and engage in a deeper way, and takes that same view to his work. He plays poker periodically too, and is an avid fantasy sports player. Sean also previously spent time with Bleacher Report and theScore, all after earning his media studies degree from the University of Guelph-Humber.