Alcoholic beverage license holders that want to add sports wagering devices or kiosks to their premises must secure advance approval from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) in accordance with District Official Code § 25–762 since offering sports wagering may constitute a “substantial change” in operation.
Additionally, licensees must also secure a Sports Wagering Operator license through the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) which issues and enforces Sports Wagering Operator licenses autonomously.
Instructions
Licensees can request to add sports wagering at any time and at no cost. Requests must be submitted to ABRA in writing and include:
- The quantity and types of sports wagering devices that will be added,
- Where they will be located within the establishment, and
- A copy of the establishment’s security plan
Notice of all received applications that the Board considers to be a substantial change will be given to the parties outlined in § 25-421 including affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC).
Members of the public may protest the change pursuant to § 25-601 and the Board will consider applications on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that establishments located within a two block radius of the four (4) designated Sports Wagering Class A Facilities including Capital One Arena, Audi Field, Nationals Park, and St. Elizabeth’s East Entertainment and Sports Arena are not eligible for a Sports Wagering Operator license. Licensees should consult the OLG-maintained map that details the exemption areas before submitting a request.
Additionally, licensees with Settlement Agreements are encouraged to review their agreed to terms to determine if sports wagering would be allowed. Settlement Agreements can be located using ABRA’s Record Search Tool.
