ESPN Bet has secured a strategic partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to launch mobile sports betting operations in Washington, D.C. later this year. The agreement, pending regulatory approval, marks ESPN Bet's entry into its 20th U.S. jurisdiction.

The partnership with Monumental, owned by billionaire Ted Leonsis, includes a multi-channel marketing integration and presence at Capital One Arena, home to the NBA's Washington Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals. While ESPN Bet gains online market access, the arena's retail sportsbook remains operated by Caesars Entertainment.

Monumental acquired sports betting rights through D.C.'s 2019 gambling expansion, which requires a $500,000 initial license fee and $250,000 annual renewals, with a 10% tax on gross revenue.

The deal strengthens ESPN's presence in D.C., where it already operates a "SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt" studio. This expansion follows Penn Entertainment's $1.5 billion, 10-year agreement with ESPN to use its brand for sports betting operations.

D.C.'s sports betting market has grown since ending Intralot's GambetDC online monopoly. Despite a relatively small population of 702,000, the district's status as a major tourist destination makes it an attractive market. In November 2023, D.C. sportsbooks handled $68.2 million in bets, with FanDuel leading at $35.5 million through its online and retail operations at Audi Field.

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