The Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club, a Washington D.C.-based strip club, publicly announced its intention to open a retail sportsbook in partnership with Toronto-based Elys Game Technology, called the Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge, this week in the nation’s capital, while proclaiming itself as the first sportsbook within such a venue in the US.

New partnership:

To launch the first strip club sportsbook in the US, Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club has partnered with the global interactive gaming and sports betting technology company. Their joint venture, Cloakbook, was granted a sports betting license on Tuesday, December 27.

In a press release, Tony Cavasilios, managing member of Cloakbook, said: “We are eagerly looking forward to commencing our sportsbook operations within the Cloakroom and all-new Over Under lounge on the rooftop above the club, and to provide a whole new experience to our patrons in D.C.”.

Layout of the proposed Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge:

The proposed Cloakroom sportsbook will become a bettor’s hangout once sports betting becomes legal in Washington. It will be located at 476 K Street NW.

In this regard, a spokesperson for Cloakroom said: “At a 4 PM Thursday, the location will hold a soft launch for a small gathering and a general public can access the sportsbook starting Friday.”

The Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge will have wall-to-wall televisions and a seasonal cocktail menu. In addition, it will feature large windows, “futuristic” LED lighting and a retractable roof over the bar.

Regarding this, Mr Cavasilios added: “This new venture has given us the opportunity to create 15 new jobs in D.C. and offer customers a chance to parlay an evening of enjoying a meal and beverage in the Over Under lounge while wagering on their favorite team, and to top it off with a celebration within the award-winning Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club.” 

Cloakroom’s website states that the strip club adheres to a responsible gaming policy. However, the location is intriguing, as the website states it is the first location in the US to offer food, drinks, betting, and adult entertainment.

Elys invests in the future of retail:

Although still below $1 per share, Elys’ stock price rose sharply on Tuesday, December 27, following news of the widely-known bar in Adams Morgan, D.C., Grand Central, that it is also funded by the gaming and sports tech company. The bar is a favorite destination for Buffalo Bills fans, who make sports betting a natural part of the bar, specifically on NFL Sundays.

Also in the press release, Michele Ciavarella, the executive chairman of Elys Game Technology, said: “Elys firmly believes that this segment of retail sports betting within neighborhood establishments could become a key driver for local employment and economic recovery at the community level throughout the United States and Canada.

“I am hopeful that more states and jurisdictions will start leaning into retail sports betting options. Ohio may become a trendsetter in the industry, as hundreds of businesses are expected to introduce sports betting kiosks in 2023, including bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and grocery stores.”