The D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) announced on Monday that FanDuel will be taking over as the citywide sports betting provider, replacing the underperforming GambetDC in the spring.

GambetDC, launched in May 2020 by Intralot, a Greek gaming company, received negative reviews from sports gamblers due to its noncompetitive odds and technical glitches. It also fell short of the city's revenue expectations, with only $4.3 million generated since its inception, far from the projected $84 million. In an unusual occurrence for the sports gambling world, GambetDC experienced losses in June 2023.

Council member Kenyan R. McDuffie expressed disappointment in the performance of GambetDC and the delay in action taken by OLG. McDuffie plans to introduce legislation to enhance transparency in the process.

In contrast, FanDuel, a well-established sports betting operator available in 22 states, including neighboring Maryland and Virginia, will guarantee $45 million in revenue for the city over a five-year deal. This includes a one-time "platform conversion fee" of $5 million in the first year, followed by $10 million annually for the remaining four years. FanDuel projects to generate even more revenue, estimating $119 million over the contract's duration.

Furthermore, FanDuel will assume the city's expenses of $2 million to $4 million, encompassing payment processing, promotions, marketing, and retailer commissions & payouts.

OLG Executive Director Frank Suarez stated that FanDuel's industry-leading offering will optimize tax revenue for the District while delivering a superior betting experience.

The transition from GambetDC to FanDuel, including the fate of existing GambetDC accounts, has not been specified by OLG yet. The agency is currently finalizing implementation and conversion details.

To cater to D.C. sports gamblers who previously had limited options, FanDuel will replace GambetDC's retail kiosks with their own machines on a phased basis, with the new kiosks expected to be operational by the summer.

OLG spokesperson has confirmed that the change in sports betting providers aims to rectify the lackluster performance of GambetDC and offer D.C. residents an improved betting experience.

Overall, this development signifies a welcome shift in Washington D.C.'s sports gambling industry, with the anticipation of increased revenue and a more competitive and user-friendly platform for sports gamblers in the capital city.