DC Lottery Executive Director Steps Down Prior to Council Hearing on Sports Betting

Posted on: February 27, 2021, 07:55h. 

Last updated on: February 28, 2021, 12:44h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More
Expertise: Legislation, Sports Betting, Horse Racing.

The DC Lottery is looking for a new executive director.

DC Lottery Executive Director
DC Lottery Executive Director Beth Bresnahan, seen here with WUSA TV’s Markette Sheppard in 2018. Bresnahan resigned from the lottery effective Friday, according to multiple DC media reports. (Image: DC Lottery/Twitter)

After more than three years on the job, Beth Bresnahan’s last day on the job was Friday, according to the Washington Times. The paper indicated Bresnahan filed her resignation last month, citing a family need that necessitates her return to Massachusetts “permanently.”

WAMU Analyst Tom Sherwood first reported Bresnahan’s departure. He added that she was scheduled to testify before a DC Council Committee on Business and Economic Development hearing on March 10.

The District’s CFO, Jeffrey Dewitt, reportedly was also slated to testify. However, he announced his resignation earlier this month to take a similar position at the University of Kansas. Sherwood tweeted Thursday that Dewitt’s final day in office will be March 9.

“One council hearing issue for March 10th: Is sports betting bringing in revenues projected?” Sherwood reported.

Washington Sports Betting Controversy

The DC Lottery operates sports betting in the nation’s capital. While Washington’s pro sports arenas and stadiums, as well as bars and restaurants, can partner with a sportsbook, only GambetDC, the lottery’s mobile app, is available across the District.

GambetDC is the platform developed by DC Lottery vendor Intralot. The DC Council narrowly approved a five-year, $215 million contract that the European gaming company received through a controversial no-bid process.

The council member, Jack Evans, who spearheaded the push for the sole-source contract, eventually resigned after facing removal from the legislative body because of ethics violations.

The sole-source solicitation was challenged in court, but allowed to stand.

The lottery’s sports betting operation has not been without its share of critics. One of the biggest complaints about GambetDC has been the odds its offers. For example, the table below shows odds at various sportsbooks for Saturday night’s NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the host Brooklyn Nets.

While the odds may not appear all that dissimilar, the table shows Gambet takes a significantly higher hold on the moneyline, total, and point spread than such operators as BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel.

William Hill Bests Lottery in DC

There currently is only one sportsbook operating at a Washington stadium or arena. That’s William Hill, which is located at the Capital One Arena. It does have a mobile app tied to it, but the app is only available within a two-block radius of the arena.

Despite that limitation, William Hill is still able to beat more prevalent GambetDC.

According to DC Lottery statistics, William Hill reported a handle of $10.6 million. In addition, the sportsbook earned gross gaming revenues of $1.9 million in January. That led to more than $189,000 in tax revenue for the District. Meanwhile, Gambet reported a handle of $5.2 million and gaming revenue of more than $913,000 for the same month.

For the 2021 fiscal year, the disparity between the two is even wider. Despite William Hill only reporting about 53,000 wagers (550,013 to 496,962), William Hill’s handle for the fiscal year is $51 million. Gambet, meanwhile, reported just $17,5 million in bets over the same time frame.