After a long and tedious political battle (that is still raging), Washington D.C. sports betting applications are now being accepted. The Lottery said they would begin taking applications December 3rd and expect the process to take 30 to 45 days to review applications and begin approving licenses.

While the District handed the monopoly on citywide mobile sports betting to its Greek lottery operator, Intralot, licenses are also available for mobile and land-based wagering in up to four sports arenas, as well for as any venue that wishes to offer retail betting, provided sports betting is not its main business.

This last category of licensee, which will include bars and restaurants, will also be permitted to offer mobile betting, provided it does not extend beyond the walls of the venue. The Lottery hoped to launch the Intralot mobile app in January. But a spokesperson said Wednesday the outlook has been revised to “sometime during the first quarter of 2020.”