Intralot and VSC fined millions after DC AG investigation [Video]

WASHINGTON — The company hired by D.C. Council to bring sports betting to the District now owes the city $6.5 million after an investigation revealed it lied about working with small local businesses to win the contract.

Intralot, a Greek sports betting and gambling services management company, was already running the D.C. Lottery when it was picked to host the online sports betting platform for the District in 2019. Unlike the typical contract bidding process, which would take around three years and cost the city $61 million, the council handed the $215 million contract to Intralot and didn’t consider any other bidders — in an attempt to fast track the process and beat Maryland and Virginia to the sports betting industry.

But Intralot had told city leaders that they were working with local small business subcontractor Veterans Services Corporation (VSC), a company they …