As part of SeventySix Capital Leadership Series Wayne Kimmel spoke with William Hill US CEO Joe Asher discussing how the Capital One Arena Sportsbook came to be and the future of sportsbooks in the US.
What is it?
Back in July of 2020 William Hill US opened its first-ever pop-up sports book in Washington DC and the first-ever within a US sports complex – the Capital One Arena.
Upon receipt of all required regulatory approvals, construction will begin on the permanent sports book space. Anticipated to be launched in early 2021, the facility will be open daily, year-round, and offer sports fans of legal age the option to wager on a William Hill mobile app inside the arena, as permitted by the Washington DC regulations.
The sports book has full-service food and beverage offerings, premium sports betting facilities from William Hill, the exclusive sports betting partner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics and Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
Asher joins the series to talk about the success of the launch of the sportsbook in the Capital One Arena, how he got his start in sports betting, what William Hill has done in the US, and shares his thoughts on what the future of sports betting holds in the United States.
Who is it?
Joe Asher, CEO, William Hill US
Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner, SeventySix Capital
What is being said?
Asher on Opening a sportsbook in Capital One Arena: “We opened up over the summer. Obviously, we’re working on building out a sportsbook there, it’s in an old restaurant so they got the space back and so we’re working on building out a high-end, sports themed restaurant-bar concept where you can actually bet.
“COVID hits, initially things grind to a halt as they did back in March but we wound up opening up a temporary facility in the box office because no sports going on in the building so not a lot of activity in the box office, so we refashionaished the box office into a sportsbook.
“It opened up over the summer and it’d just been this big hit. People are coming in, there’s a line on weekends that goes outside and down the block. It’s proven to be a great success, the work is ongoing at the permanent venue.”
Why should I watch it?
To get insight from one of the world’s biggest bookmakers CEO on the future of sports betting in the United States.
Where can I see more?
Source: SeventySix Capital YouTube Channel
