Small Businesses Open In-Person Online Sportsbooks

There’s no better way to kick off in-person sports betting than placing a bet while seated next to your favorite Washington Football Team (WFT) figures including Brian Mitchell, Fred Smoot or Rick ‘Doc’ Walker. These are just a few of the local sports legends that helped kick-off in-person sports betting at several small businesses in the District on Friday, July 29 through a partnership with GambetDC, the District’s Sportsbook.

Ben’s Next Door, Lou’s City Bar, Takoma Station Tavern and Dirty Water Sports Bar hosted the special appearances by former NFL, NBA, NHL sports figures; Brian Mitchell, Rick ‘Doc’ Walker, Fred Smoot, Santana Moss, Joe Jacoby, Charles Mann, Ravin Caldwell, Ricky Irvins, Ken Jenkins and Craig Loughlin.

In a press release issued by GambetDC, which is powered by DC Lottery, the program 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.

“GambetDC is important because the funds go towards helping D.C.,” former WFT running back Brian Mitchell who appeared at Takoma Station in Northwest. “You’ve got people right here that like to bet, and the kiosks allow you to use, a lot of people don’t have credit cards to put money on their accounts from their phones. And, you can see the game right here on tv and watch what you’re betting on.

Gary Clarke, former WFT wide receiver chimed, “This is about the residents of DC. I don’t know that much about gambling, but it’s a way to give back to the community. Anything that supports residents of the District of Columbia, I support it”

A patron who just called himself Robert, said he usually rides to Delaware to place his bets, but as a friend of the Takoma Station owners, he said it’s a way now to support their business.

The people of the District are getting a win through this program as well, according to lottery officials, as revenue from the GambetDC program goes back to D.C. through the city’s General Fund.

https://www.washingtoninformer.com/sports-betting-sites-come-to-d-c-neighborhoods/