The recently approved bill legalizing sports betting in the District of Columbia is set to be amended to clarify licensing fees for the approved operators, as reported by BettingUS.com.
As part of the changes, licensing fees for the four designated sporting venues would double to $500,000, meanwhile venues outside of the two-block exclusivity zones of the sporting venues will now pay $100,000.
Applicants can receive discounts on the licensing fees providing they enter into joint ventures with certified local businesses.
City lawmakers in Washington DC voted overwhelmingly in favour of legalising sports betting in the US Capital back in December. DC’s Mayor Muriel Bowser has yet to sign or veto the bills, however, which means that no official decision has been made.
In addition to the amendments, the DC Council have submitted a new draft bill which will allow the city’s lottery provider to access technology platforms, lottery gaming systems and related services.
The purpose of the bill is, “To exempt, on an emergency basis, the initial procurement used in connection with the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018.”
If the bill were to pass, the DC Lottery provider Intralot would be granted access to bypass the competitive bidding process for sports betting in the district, allowing them to become the sole contract allowed to operate a sportsbook.