The Washington Commanders games could soon feature an exciting addition to the beers, pretzels, and nachos – bets! The franchise has recently been granted approval by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) to construct a stadium sportsbook at FedEx Field.
This development brings the Commanders closer to realizing their retail sportsbook. However, their plan still requires approval from the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (MSWARC) to reach the final stage.
Meanwhile, residents of Virginia who are Washington fans can conveniently place their bets on the Commanders from the comfort of their own homes. With a total of 14 Virginia sportsbooks available, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Stadium sportsbook plans move ahead
Last August, the team owner, Dan Snyder, submitted the initial application to the MLGCC. However, it was only earlier this month that he finally received a positive response. The committee gave their approval for the move with a vote of 6-1.
Washington expressed its gratitude for Maryland’s dedication in crafting regulations and assessing the FedEx Field application.
“We fully support the inclusive and diverse efforts of Maryland leaders in welcoming participation in the legal sports betting industry. Additionally, we are excited to share further details about our upcoming plans with stakeholders and fans in the coming weeks.”
Having a stadium sportsbook at FedEx Field could potentially attract a larger fan base, which is crucial considering that the Commanders had the second-lowest attendance average in the NFL last season. The team managed to gather an average of 52,751 fans per game, accounting for just slightly more than 64% of the stadium’s total capacity.
Which sportsbook will the Commanders partner with?
It is unclear which gaming operator will be the first to debut in Washington, but it is worth paying attention to FanDuel. In January 2021, FanDuel and the Commanders disclosed a market access partnership.
In addition, FanDuel collaborates with four additional NFL teams.
- Buffalo Bills
- Denver Broncos
- Indianapolis Colts
- New York Jets
Commanders may be second NFL team with a stadium sportsbook
The Arizona Cardinals stand alone as the sole team with concrete intentions of establishing a retail betting venue. Nevertheless, the Cardinals’ approach differs from Washington’s envisioned plans.
Prior to the start of the 2022 NFL season on September 8, the Cardinals and BetMGM are collaborating to construct a retail betting facility adjacent to the stadium. This venue will encompass dining choices and event areas, enabling the sportsbook to function throughout the year.
Although Washington may not be the first team to have a retail sportsbook, the Commanders have a good chance of being the first franchise to introduce an in-stadium betting venue, surpassing Arizona.
The Commanders would join two other teams in Washington that have retail sportsbooks, expanding the sports betting options in the local sports scene.
Caesars Sportsbook joined forces with the Capitals in May 2021 to establish a betting facility within Capital One Arena, thus granting the Capitals the distinction of being the inaugural professional sports team to house a stadium sportsbook. Spanning an expansive 20,000 square feet, this area boasts an array of televisions for patrons’ viewing pleasure. Alongside betting kiosks, customers also have the option to place wagers with a cashier using designated counters.
In January 2022, Nationals Park became home to a sportsbook, a collaboration between the Nationals and BetMGM. This groundbreaking move made the Nationals the pioneers among MLB teams in introducing a sportsbook at their stadium. The sportsbook occupies an expansive area of 4,000 square feet and features a similar setup to that of Capital One Arena, boasting 40 TVs for an immersive betting experience. Visitors have the convenience of choosing between betting at a kiosk or with the assistance of a cashier.
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