Washington lawsuit requests halt on sports betting contract

A Washington, D.C., technology developer who filed a lawsuit against the District’s $215 million no-bid sports gambling contract has now requested a temporary restraining order to stop the district from upholding it.

WTOP-FM reports Dylan Carragher, who created a mobile app for sports wagering and wants a role in the launch of sports gambling in the city, filed the motion Tuesday stating the single-source contract awarded to Intralot in July violates the city’s procurement laws that ensure competitive bidding under the city’s self-government “Home Rule Act.” The lawsuit argues that the District Office of the Chief Financial Officer is required to follow these D.C. procurement laws.

Carragher’s attorney, Donald Temple, said if the contract is illegal, the government shouldn’t be allowed to execute the contract. “This is a motion for a temporary restraining order and that is to stop the government from continuing to act illegally in the execution of the contract in any way, whatsoever,” he said.

Carragher’s lawsuit says the contract illegally bars him and other potential vendors from participating in the “potentially lucrative enterprise.” Court documents say the order, if granted, will block Intralot from receiving a $30 million payment due Oct. 1. A hearing on Carragher’s request is set for Thursday morning.