- BetMGM has opened a retail sportsbook at Nationals Park in Washington DC.
- Nationals Park is the home of the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball (MLB) team.
- It is the first retail sportsbook connected to a MLB baseball stadium.
The less said about the sports betting regulations in Washington, DC the better. That said, the District is ‘ahead of the curve’ when it comes to one trend–in-venue retail sportsbooks. The Capital One Arena was the first venue in DC to offer retail sports betting when a William Hill location opened there. It has since been re-branded as a Caesars Sportsbook location. Earlier today, BetMGM got into the DC retail sports betting game as they opened a location at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals MLB baseball team. The press release announcing the launch indicates that it is ‘the first retail sportsbook connected to a Major League Baseball stadium’.
Like the Ceasars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena, the BetMGM at Nationals Park will be open 365 days a year, 11 AM to Midnight Eastern. The 4,000 square foot sportsbook is accessible from N Street SE next to Center Field Gate. Inside, players will find 40 big-screen TVs with live odds boards that update as the action progresses. There are six betting windows as well as a number of self service kiosks. Additionally, the BetMGM Sportsbook offers full-service beverage and dining options. The sportsbook is the latest iteration of the multi-year partnership between the Washington Nationals and BetMGM. BetMGM launched a mobile app in June 2021 but due to the absurd sports betting regulations in the District of Columbia it only works within a two block radius of Nationals Park. I’m serious.
Here’s some more silliness–although the BetMGM sportsbook is billed as the ‘first retail sportsbook connected to a MLB stadium’ fans who are in attendance at Nationals’ games **can’t access it**. The press release explicitly mentions this fact. They can, however, bet with the BetMGM mobile app–assuming they don’t wander more than a couple of blocks away from the venue:
The newly created sportsbook will be located in the space previously known as Center Field Social, across Center Field Plaza from the Nationals Team Store. It will not be accessible by fans while they are in attendance at a Nationals game, but fans will be able to place bets via BetMGM’s mobile app.
Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, was in with a comment on the new retail location:
“We’re constantly pushing the boundaries to deliver sports fans unique experiences, and that’s just what we’ve done with the new BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park. Whether fans are attending baseball games or looking for a place to watch any sporting event, the BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park is bound to be one of the most engaging sports viewing environments in the District.”
“The D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region is a great look into how we’re seeking to expand the BetMGM platform with a variety of unique experiences for our customers. They can utilize the BetMGM mobile app anywhere in Virginia, can visit the newly opened retail sportsbook at MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and now in D.C., they can access the first sportsbook connected to a Major League Baseball stadium. We’ve established great partnerships that allow us to bring these one-of-a-kind touchpoints to the DMV.”
Alan Gottlieb, Chief Operating Officer of Lerner Sports is no doubt pleased to have a new 365 day a year revenue stream:
“The BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park represents the newest way in which we are providing our fans with the best experiences in sports and entertainment. Upon its opening, the sportsbook immediately becomes one of the neighborhood’s premier venues for both the savvy bettor and casual fan to watch the top events in an upscale and electric atmosphere.”
More ‘in venue’ sportsbooks may be coming in the District–in October 2020, FanDuel announced a deal with DC United of the MLS soccer circuit. FanDuel was named as ‘exclusive sports betting sponsor’ of the team and plans were announced for a retail sportsbook in the team’s home venue.
