The DC Lottery’s sports gambling platform GambetDC has now officially gone live online following a two month delay that would have originally seen it launch in late March/early April.
A mobile app is expected to follow in June, however, with its original launch having been postponed due to the COVID-19 sporting shutdown. The ‘soft launch’ as it’s being called, was unveiled last night with officials using it to give punters a taste of what is to come upon the return of normal live sporting operations in a post coronavirus world.
A statement on GambetDC’s website read: “GambetDC is Washington DC’s new betting experience that makes live betting and wagering on sporting events just as easy as watching them.
“Whether you bet using the GambetDC app or website, you can bet with friends, have fun, game responsibly, and join a community of winners. Bet on the home team, any team or game around the globe. Whenever and wherever there is a sports competition, GambetDC is at your fingertips. It’s easy. It’s secure and is brought to you by the DC Lottery.
“Unlike any other sports betting offering in the District, GambetDC is powered by the DC Lottery – the same lottery you’ve known and trusted since 1982. Like the DC Lottery’s traditional lottery games, net revenues generated from GambetDC are returned to the District’s General Fund to directly benefit the residents and the economic vitality of the District of Columbia – that’s a win-win!”
Regarding the usage of the GambetDC platform, those 18 and over will be permitted to place bets on the product within city limits, except for federal enclaves or within two blocks of Audi Field, Capital One Arena, Nationals Park and Entertainment and Sports Arena.
Due to its accessibility depending on the users location, the platform is required to make use of some form of location verification, which itself has come under criticism from users due to glitches. In addition to this, GambetDC has received further negative press due to odds, with its high-cost wagers particularly drawing unwanted attention.
The GambetDC statement continued: “We know that there is a limited number of events to wager on but we wanted to provide you with an opportunity to get familiar with the platform in preparation for the return of sports.”
As it stands, the events currently available to be wagered on are limited to football, mixed martial arts and darts. Further events are listed to be introduced in the future.
