A new facility potentially on the way
Caesars Entertainment and pro soccer team D.C. United are reportedly in intense negotiations about a potential sportsbook facility at Audi Field.
As part of a potential deal, there may also be a four-year sponsorship arrangement for the team. This would see the Caesars logo featured on the right sleeve of the D.C. United jerseys next season.
the first of the four major sporting arenas in Washington, D.C. to launch a sports betting offering
The plan would be to have a sportsbook ready to launch at the stadium at some stage during spring 2020. This would make Audi Field the first of the four major sporting arenas in Washington, D.C. to launch a sports betting offering.
Richard Broome, the executive vice president of communication and government relations at Caesars, said the two parties “aren’t there yet” in terms of finalizing a deal.
However, D.C. United’s chief business officer Andy Bush expressed the team’s excitement over the potential deal with Caesars, which he said would be:
an incredible opportunity to engage with our fans.”
Plans for the stadium’s sportsbook license
The process of applying for a sportsbook license in Washington, D.C. is set to begin on December 3, following numerous delays. Originally, sports betting was to be up and running in fall 2019. Following the latest updates, licenses will not be handed out until early 2020.
It will take 30-45 days for the D.C. Council to review each of the license applications. If Audi Field gets the green light for a sportsbook, the initial license fee will be $125,000.
Already under construction?
Audi Field recently underwent ongoing renovations for a number of weeks. According to The Washington Post, anonymous sources have indicated that the construction of a sportsbook facility forms part of the works.
There was no indication whether the sportsbook will be part of the current stadium or whether it will require a new piece of construction. According to the sources, the sportsbook would also have a bar and a restaurant attached.
No official opening date for the sportsbook has been announced yet.
Making moves in Washington DC
In October, news broke of a partnership agreement in D.C. between William Hill and Monumental Sports and Entertainment. The deal will see the European sports betting giant operating the Capital One Arena sportsbook. Capital One is the home arena of the Washington Wizards NBA team and the Washington Capitals NHL team.
Caesars currently has sports betting operations across 30 facilities in seven states, and it’s now looking to get a slice of the D.C. market. Sports betting became officially legal in the district in January 2019, but it has yet to launch.
Since June, the MLS has allowed its teams to get sponsorships for stadium naming rights and jerseys from liquor and sports betting companies.