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Washington Football Team signs FanDuel deal amid stadium talk

Washington Football Team has entered into a new partnership with FanDuel Group, marking the first-ever market access agreement between an NFL franchise and an online sports gaming platform in the US.

As part of the deal, FanDuel and Washington Football Team launched legal sports betting last week in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia becomes the ninth state in the US where the FanDuel sportsbook will be available for iOS and Android.

Under Virginia’s sports wagering law, Washington Football Team was given preference for a mobile sports betting permit based on it meeting certain criteria for franchises headquartered in the state, and the option to partner with an established sports wagering operator to run the business. The team has chosen FanDuel as its operational partner to jointly hold the permit.

As part of the wide-ranging agreement, FanDuel becomes the official daily fantasy partner of the team. The company will also benefit from prominent stadium signage at Fedex Field and offer customers unique game-day experiences, with a special FanDuel section to be among the initiatives.

Scott Shepherd, senior vice-president of corporate partnerships and hospitality for Washington Football Team, said: “When this truly unique opportunity presented itself, it was a natural fit to strategically align with our long-time partner, FanDuel, as we knew they’d establish a best-in-class sports betting marketplace, grounded by innovation and consumer protection.

“We’re very excited for all this groundbreaking partnership will offer our valued fans throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of their game-day experience.”

Fedex Field is located in Prince George’s County in the state of Maryland but the team’s training base and headquarters are in Ashburn, Virginia. The team has a contract to play at Fedex Field until September 2027 and has been exploring options for a new home.

Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder has previously expressed an interest in incorporating sports betting at any new stadium. Virginia has been linked as a location for a stadium but state delegate Mark Sickles, who sponsored the sports betting ruling, said last week that no deal has been agreed for a new venue, with the permit having been granted in “good faith”.

Other teams and venues in Washington DC have signed sports betting partners in recent months. Last October, Capital One Arena, home of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals, set a first for a US sports facility after William Hill officially opened a sportsbook at the venue.

Earlier this month, Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals partnered with sports betting and gaming company BetMGM, which will open a new branded sportsbook at Nationals Park.

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