The approval follows the previously announced sportsbook partnership with District Hospitality, which operates the Ozio Lounge in Washington DC. The agreement has an initial term of three years from the date of issuance of the licence with a minimum of two anticipated extensions of two years each.
Subject to regulatory approval of the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming, the BetDupont CBEJV would allow Elys to operate a third location in Washington, DC for its white label sportsbook solution at the Ozio Lounge.
The group has already launched its sportsbook solution at the Grand Central Restaurant and Sportsbook, and expects to receive regulatory approval to open its second sportsbook operation at the Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club under the Cloakbook brand.
“While this approval is the first in a two-step process to obtain the licence required to operate our sportsbook solution at the Ozio Lounge, we believe the increasing pace of approvals demonstrates our US expansion momentum, as well our ability to operate sportsbooks as an ancillary product for restaurants, bars and other small business establishments in a fully compliant manner,” said Elys Executive Chairman Michele Ciavarella.
“We are excited to partner with District Hospitality and believe the launch of our sportsbook solution will help further establish the Ozio Lounge as a premier destination for both local guests and tourists alike. We also appreciate the support of the DSLBD, which illustrates their commitment to helping both small businesses and the local DC economy.”
In April, the group announced its CBEJV with AllBets, while in June it announced its fourth planned sportsbook location at the Entitlement Restaurant and Lounge in Washington, DC. Both are pending approval by the DSLBD.
Ciavarella added: “Our sportsbook solution is not only garnering attention within DC, but we believe that interest is growing rapidly in this sector across the nation. We look forward to announcing additional retail locations in the near future, and to replicating this success in additional markets, including our recently announced expansion into the state of Ohio.”
