DC's $215M sports betting deal with Intralot faces new corruption allegations
A Washington Post investigation has exposed fresh concerns over Washington DC’s $215 million sports betting deal with Intralot. The contract, awarded without competitive bidding, has drawn scrutiny due to the company’s past controversies and questionable partnerships. At the centre of the debate is a little-known firm, Veteran Services (VS), whose involvement has raised further red flags. The DC Council handed Intralot the sports betting contract in 2019, bypassing the usual competitive tender process. This move echoed the 2009 lottery contract awarded to the same company, which later faced a federal grand jury investigation over potential corruption.
Intralot teamed up with VS, a firm run by Emmanuel Bailey, a friend of former councilmember Kevin Chavous. VS held a 51% stake in their joint venture, DC09, but Intralot retained operational control. Records show VS was registered at Bailey’s 75-year-old mother’s home in DC. Maryland had already rejected a similar bid from Intralot and VS in 2017. Officials cited VS’s lack of capital, business experience, and an unclear role in the partnership. Bailey admitted to Maryland’s Lottery Evaluation Committee that VS had no financial means to fulfil its obligations. The committee even concluded that Intralot’s bid was weaker *with* VS than without it. Councilmember Jack Evans, who led the push for sports betting, is now under FBI investigation for possible ethics violations. His involvement in the deal has added to the growing list of concerns.
The Washington Post’s findings highlight long-standing issues with Intralot’s contracts in DC. The absence of competitive bidding, combined with VS’s financial weaknesses and political ties, has intensified calls for greater transparency. The deal’s future remains uncertain as investigations continue.
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