Four D.C. small businesses open retail sportsbooks via deal with GambetDC

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ocal Washington D.C. businesses will receive a boost in revenue and foot traffic with the opening of their own sportsbooks.

Starting Thursday, July 29, small businesses in the Washington D.C. district will offer in-person sports betting to their patrons through a partnership with GambetDC, the district’s sportsbook powerede by DC Lottery. The local businesses offering this new experience include Ben’s Next Door, Lou’s City Bar, Takoma Station Tavern, and Dirty Water.

On Friday, July 30, the locations spearheading the in-person sports betting program are celebrating the occasion by hosting big events for their patrons from 7 pm to midnight. The events will showcase the new self-service sports betting kiosks and local sports figures, like Brian Mitchell, Rick ‘Doc’ Walker, Fred Smoot, and Santana Moss, as well as prizes, and more for those in attendance.

Nicole Jordan, Director of Marketing and Communications for DC Lottery, said: “We are excited to support these iconic local businesses and to help them return from the pandemic better than they were when it started. Together, GambetDC and these local businesses are going to prove that betting on D.C. is always a good decision.”

Kamal Ali, owner of Ben’s Next Door, a staple in the district, said: “The pandemic was the biggest challenge I’ve ever had to experience; we lost 85% of our staff. Getting our night shift back has helped, but there still is work to be done. Now we’ve got this new way to bring people in for them to have fun, and it’s going to be wonderful.”

Mark Helliwell, the managing partner of Lou’s City Bar, commented: “Our goal is to be the top sports bar in the district, so adding sports betting was an easy decision. With GambetDC, we have a partner that’s as invested in our success as we are, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Chris DeFelice, the owner of Dirty Water, stated: “This partnership with GambetDC is game-changing for Dirty Water. Our goal has always been to be the best location in D.C. for sports fans and we feel this new venture puts us over the top.”

David Boyd, the owner of Takoma Station Tavern, added: “Takoma Station Tavern is extremely excited to offer another form of entertainment to our establishment, community, and our Takoma family. We are happy to offer in-house sports wagering alongside our live music and great food and drink options.”

GambetDC is focused on supporting local businesses in their effort to bounce back from the pandemic. The local businesses opening their own sportsbook with the help of GambetDC will receive a boost in revenue resulting from a 5% commission on all sports betting sales and a 1% commission on the cashing of sports betting products. Revenue from the GambetDC program goes back to D.C. through the city’s General Fund.