A William Hill sportsbook has officially opened at Capital One Arena, home of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals, becoming the first sports betting venue to open within a US professional sports facility.
William Hill, part of Caesars Entertainment, first partnered with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, owner of the arena, in October 2019. The sportsbook, which features 17 betting windows and 12 self-service betting kiosks, officially opened yesterday (Wednesday)
The two-storey venue also has 5G Wi-Fi capability courtesy of Verizon, enabling fans to place bets on mobile devices via the William Hill app. A sports-bar menu, crafted by Michelin-starred chef Nicholas Stefanelli, will be available for guests.
The sportsbook also features more than 100 television screens, including four positioned on all sides of a jumbotron that hangs from the ceiling in the centre of the venue that is a replica of the one inside the arena itself. A custom, 1,500-square-foot LED screen wraps the entire facility and will show multiple games across various sports simultaneously.
Additionally, the sportsbook features a broadcast studio that will be used to host live television and radio shows, as well as two VIP areas and a private dining and entertainment space. The design of the space pays homage to the history of sports and local teams.
Ted Leonsis, founder and chief executive of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said: “Monumental Sports & Entertainment is proud to have worked with William Hill and Caesars Entertainment, a proven leader and innovator in sports betting, to provide the pre-eminent fan experience and serve as exemplars to the industry as first-in-class and best-in-class.
“Providing a data-driven, technologically-advanced environment in a beautiful, approachable space with fine dining options provided by Chef Stefanelli will further enhance the indelible memories we create nightly at Capital One Arena and draw even more visitors to our historic downtown D.C. neighbourhood.”
Tom Reeg, chief executive of Caesars Entertainment, added: “This is really a groundbreaking moment for Caesars and for the sports betting industry in general.
“This is the first integrated sportsbook in a physical stadium in the country. This is the new paradigm, this is where it’s going. We ask our employees at Caesars to blaze new trails, to create unique experiences. As you walk this property and you see what’s here, this is exactly what we’re talking about.”
The sportsbook and restaurant will be open daily throughout the year.
Images: William Hill
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