The sixth online sportsbook to launch in the Nation’s Capital is Penn Gaming’s ESPN BET. The sports media giant’s sportsbook brand officially added Washington D.C. as the company’s 20th market in the U.S. this week, joining national operators such as BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel in the marketplace.
Overall, that quintet of D.C. online sportsbooks has helped the capital district take in just over $1.1 billion in total handle since launching in May 2020. Back then, the Washington D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming launched wagering with its in-house platform, GambetDC.
Now, D.C. sports betting operators have seen their fortunes improve since the region’s humble beginnings, going from monthly handles of $11,262,442 (in August 2020) to $40,583,711 during August 2024.
Now, a sixth sports betting company is entering the fray, as ESPN BET comes to D.C., joining the company’s existing footprint in states like Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and, more locally, both of Washington’s neighbors (Maryland and Virginia). The brand is among the legal, regulated Virginia sports betting options.
A New Day in D.C. Sports Betting
For PENN Entertainment officials such as company Chief Technology Officer Aaron LaBerge, the opportunity to add ESPN BET to a rising market like the Washington D.C. sports betting scene was a no-brainer. The move lets the company target a rich sports tapestry that includes teams in all five of the major men’s professional sports leagues in North America (MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL and NHL), in addition to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit.
“We’re thrilled to launch ESPN BET in our nation’s capital and expand our presence across the Washington metropolitan area,” LaBerge said in a company press release. “Along with our partner ESPN, we’re excited to introduce our deeply integrated media and betting experience and further engage with the D.C. area’s passionate sports community.”
PENN Entertainment’s entrance into the Washington D.C. sports betting scene is a direct result of the company’s recent partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which is the brainchild of Capitals, Wizards and Mystics owner Ted Leonsis.
Growth of D.C. Sportsbook Handle
The Bristol-based sports entertainment goliath’s wagering brand will aim to bolster D.C.’s sports betting figures, which exceeded $65 million monthly in October, November and December. That smashed the capital’s previous monthly high of $58.8 million, set in September.
The ESPN BET Virginia promo code is available in the commonwealth.
Prior to that, D.C.’s highest handle was August’s sum of $40.583 million, which knocked May’s total of $35.444 million off the wagering handle pedestal. D.C. has gained momentum since initial operator Intralot has been phased out in the nation’s capital.
Brendan Bussmann, managing partner of B Global, told BetVirginia.com that the addition of ESPN BET in D.C. represents a new era for wagering in the capital, with more competition and greater choice for sports fans in the region.
“Adding further competition to the market with ESPN BET will only further enhance a D.C. market that is finally, after several years, starting to see its potential,” Bussmann said. “Its flawed start and shoreside view by the bureaucracy only left money on the table that could have gone to the services within the District.
“ESPN BET was the last major player that was not in this market. Having a presence in Virginia and Maryland will help further its reaching into this competitive market.”
USA Today photo by Jeff Hanisch
