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DC’s first sportsbook opens in temporary digs at Capital One Arena

With all events on D.C.’s Capital One Arena schedule canceled or postponed right now due to the coronavirus pandemic, the dormant box office has found a new use: It has become a temporary sportsbook.

The retail location — the District’s first one — offers seven betting windows and 10 automated kiosks operated by William Hill.

It will accept cash bets while still meeting CDC distancing guidelines and be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, according to William Hill.

A soft opening of the facility happened Friday afternoon, with a formal opening set for Monday, Aug. 3.

Later this fall, a larger sportsbook facility is scheduled to open where the Greene Turtle restaurant used to operate at Capitol One Arena along F Street.

For the past few months, the only place in the D.C. area where one could legally bet on sports was through the D.C. Lottery’s GambetDC app, though the odds provided to bettors has drawn criticism for being less competitive than typical sportsbooks and illegal, offshore apps.

Another sportsbook is in the works in D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, as well as in a space across the street from Nationals Park that the team is building with the city.

Other restaurants and bars across the District have also been working on a plan to bring betting kiosks and a mobile app to their venues in the future.

Here are the important 2023 NFL offseason dates fans should know

Important 2023 NFL offseason dates fans should know originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonThe NFL is currently in the thick of its offseason, but there are still plenty of key dates to circle before the 2023 season kicks off on September 7.Here are important offseason dates to know...2023 NFL Offseason Key DatesMarch 13-15: NFL teams are permitted to begin negotiating with prospective free agents, but no deals can be signed just yet.March 15: New league year begins at 4 p.m. Free agents are now permitted to sign contracts with clubs.March 26-29: Annual league meetings in PhoenixApril 3: Teams with new head coaches (Carolina, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis and Arizona) can begin offseason workout programsApril 17: Teams with returning head coaches can begin offseason workout programsApril 26-29: 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City May 2: Deadline to exercise fifth-year options on first-round picks from the 2020 NFL DraftMay 5-8 or May 12-15: Teams can hold three-day rookie camps for draft picks and undrafted free agentsMay 22: First day of OTAs for select teams. Clubs are allowed to hold 10 total on-field practices, but no live contact is allowed.May 22-24: NFL spring league meetingsJune 6: Start of mandatory minicamp for select teams. Clubs are allowed to have three mandatory practices.July 17: Deadline for teams with franchise-tagged players to sign a long-term contract extension. Teams are not allowed to re-engage in negotiations with a franchise player after this date until the conclusion of the 2023 season.August 3-6: NFL kickoff weekend in Canton, OhioSeptember 7: Opening game of the 2023 NFL regular season
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