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The nation’s capital doesn’t reside in any particular state. That means it has its own specific set of rules and laws that govern the city. For us sports bettors, that means unique regulations, as well.
The good news is Washington DC embraced sports betting fairly early on. It’s legal across the city and on this page, we’ll give you the most complete rundown about betting in Washington DC. We’ve packed this page with all the must-know details for locals or anyone visiting one of America’s most-prized cities.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Washington DC?
Yes, it’s legal. Matter of fact, Washington DC was one of the very first to act after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in 2018. That same year, the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 was passed by the DC Council. However, it would be two years before mobile betting launched in the district.
Originally, a platform named GambleDC had the exclusive right to offer mobile betting in the area, thanks to a partnership with the DC Lottery. The issue was the app was awful and downright unusable. The relationships dissolved in 2024, thankfully. Now there are five betting apps in the district.
To enter the market, the platforms have to partner with a local team or arena first before they can offer mobile betting across the district. Here is who partnered with who:
- BetMGM — Washington Nationals
- Caesars — Capital One Arena (the home of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards),
- DraftKings — DC United
- Fanatics — Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
- FanDuel — Audi Field (where DC United plays soccer)
International Online Sportsbooks Available In Washington D.C.
While sports betting is legal in Washington, D.C., certain types of wagers are still off-limits at state-regulated sportsbooks. D.C.’s legal betting market offers a variety of options, but some popular bets can only be found through international sportsbooks. For example, you cannot place bets on political events or entertainment props, and there may be restrictions on certain college sports within the district. If these are the types of bets you’re interested in, you’ll need to turn to international sportsbooks.
The international sportsbooks we recommend provide a wider selection of betting markets, including political wagers, college sports without restrictions, and a range of specialty markets that you won’t find at legal sportsbooks in Washington, D.C. By using these offshore platforms, you can expand your betting options and enjoy access to a more diverse array of opportunities.
While betting on offshore sites may seem uncertain, the sportsbooks we promote have been rigorously tested for safety and reliability. Our team has been using these platforms for years, ensuring that they offer fast payouts, fair odds, and exceptional customer service. We only recommend trustworthy operators with long-standing reputations, allowing you to bet confidently, knowing your funds and personal information are secure.
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Legal Online Sportsbooks Available In Washington DC
There are only five licensed betting apps in Washington DC and all ‘em launched in 2024. Here’s the full list:
| Name of Bookie | Available? |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | ? Available |
| FanDuel | ? Available |
| BetMGM | ? Available |
| Caesars | ? Available |
| Fanatics | ? Available |
Washington DC Online Sportsbook Comparison
The good thing is Washington DC has the five best online sportsbooks licensed. The bad thing is, well, it’s hard to separate the best online sportsbooks from one another cause all are quite good. But we tried to do it anyway. We picked out some features that should matter to you as a bettor most, then chosen the sportsbook that best does that thing. Hopefully, this helps you narrow down which app to use:
Best sportsbook for bonuses: This one’s tough, really tough because operators are constantly switching up their promotions so the answer can change. However, we think Fanarics is the name to look out for the rest of the year since they’re the newest entrant into the DC market. This means they’ll be more antsy to throw out free-play deals, including the one it launched with — up to $1000 in bonus bets for new users.
Best sportsbook for betting options: FanDuel stands out with its frequent odds boost feature, which can turn a standard wager into a more lucrative opportunity. With regular odds boosts, FanDuel enhances typical odds, like flipping a -130 into +100, giving bettors a chance at a bigger payout and more value. While other platforms offer similar perks, FanDuel's consistent and higher-value boosts give it an edge.
Best sportsbook for live betting: DraftKings excels in live betting thanks a sophisticated AI engine running in the background. The AI helps update live odds almost instantly. Not only that but DraftKings’ in-play options span a wide variety of sports and leagues. All the major sports are covered, but even some smaller stuff will have in-play available from time to time. This double combo of speed and variety makes it a top choice for live-action enthusiasts.
Best sportsbook for rewards: Fanatics Rewards are tough to beat. With every bet you place, you earn FanCash. But here’s where Fanatics takes it up a notch: FanCash isn’t limited to just free bets within the app. You can also use it to snag real, licensed team gear from the Fanatics store — the world’s number-one seller of sports merchandise. These real-life perks give Fanatics an edge over competitors which can really only offer free play.
Best sportsbook for user experience: We’re big fans of Caesars here. This is because the betting all can stream NFL games directly within the app. It serves up local-market games, plus all the primetime TV matchups. And get this, it won’t cost you a penny — we’re serious. This free, built-in streaming capability elevates the betting experience, especially for football lovers.
Washington DC Quick Facts
| Fact | Washington DC |
|---|---|
| Launch date: | 2020 |
| Legal age: | 18 Years Old |
| Online sports betting | ? Yes |
| Number of licenses | 5 |
| Remote registration | ? Yes |
| Retail sportsbooks | ? Yes |
| Retail casinos | ?No |
| Online casino sites | ?No |
| Online poker | ?No |
| Betting on college sports | ? Yes |
| Betting on esports | ? Yes |
| State population | 700'000 |
| State regulator | The Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) |
| Last verified | ? September 12 |
What You Can’t Bet On In Washington DC?
DC is where laws are created, right? So of course, there’s some rules regarding sports betting, including that can’t be wagered. These markets are no-go’s for modals:
Local college teams: Betting on collegiate sports is allowed, but you cannot place wagers on any games involving local DC college teams. This means no betting on schools like Georgetown, Howard University, or George Washington University.
Live college betting: While pre-game bets on college sports are 100 percent allowed, live betting during college games is prohibited. This goes for ALL college sports — not just local teams either.
Non-sports events: Woulnt it be a blast to bet on presidential outcomes? Senate outcomes? Especially in DC where all these folks live. Unfortunately, it’s not allowed — nor are wagers on other non-sports outcomes like award shows or entertainment events like TV shows and movies. Since these aren’t classified as sports, they fall outside DC’s legal betting framework.
In DC and wanting to bet the above markets? Offshore sportsbooks have you covered. These operate outside of the United States thus can play by their own rules, including offering way more betting markets than you can probably imagine.
Who Can Legally Bet in Washington DC?
Alright, enough about what you can do. Here’s all the things that are on the table in the Capital:
Legal age: In a bit of a shocker, the minimum gambling age in DC is 18 — not 21 like most other places.
Mobile betting: Now that GambetDC is in the dirt, mobile betting is alive and well. As mentioned before, five operators are inside the district and can take bets anyplace, anytime.
Retail sportsbooks: For those who prefer the in-person experience, DC offers retail sportsbooks at most of its sports stadiums. It comes in pretty clutch when you’re attending and get the itch to throw some money on the game you’re witnessing.
Remote registration: Signing up to bet in DC is straightforward these days. You can register fully online, meaning there’s no need to visit a retail sportsbook to get started — just sign up from your phone or computer and start betting. This process can take under five minutes.
Taxable winnings: As with any form of gambling, your winnings are subject to federal taxes. Washington DC also applies local tax on gambling earnings. Death and taxes — the only guarantees in life, right?
Washington DC Casinos
There are currently no casinos in the actual city of Washington DC. Nonetheless, visitors and residents who are of legal drinking age can visit many casinos within the DC metropolitan area. These casinos are in the states of Maryland and Virginia.
The most popular one is the MGM National Harbor. Located in Maryland this hotel resort spreads out across 20 acres of land. The crowds here are huge. With so much demand, they sometimes have to raise the minimum table wager to a hundred bucks.
Washington DC Sports Betting Timeline
Here's how Washington DC was able to legalize sports betting so early on (but also launch so later on):
Early Legalization in 2018
In December 2018, the Washington DC Council passed the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed it into law in January 2019. The aim was to generate revenue and provide a regulated alternative to illegal betting activities already taking place in the city.
Debate Over Exclusive Rights
A contentious point during the legalization process was whether the DC Lottery would have exclusive rights to mobile betting, limiting competition. Despite concerns over a potential monopoly, the final version of the law granted the DC Lottery primary control over mobile betting, while private operators could still offer in-person betting at select venues.
2020 and Implementation
Although legalized in 2019, delays in finalizing rules pushed the launch of sports betting until May 2020. The DC Lottery's GambetDC platform launched for mobile betting, while venues like Capital One Arena soon began offering in-person sports wagering options. Unfortunately, the GambetDC was a complete flop for the relationship fizzled in 2024. After that, DC opened up the betting market to include more operators.
How To Bet On Sports In Washington DC?
DC isn’t just the center of politics. It’s a cultural hotbed too with a deep affinity for sports. The city has a major team from all over the”Big 4” American sports leagues. So you better believe all this, plus more, is available to bet at across Washington DC apps. They certainly are, and here’s the betting markets that get the most betting attention:
How to Bet on Football in Washington DC
It’s no surprise that football dominates the betting scene in Washington DC as it does across the country. With the NFL season running from fall into early winter, sportsbooks are at their busiest during this time, offering a wide array of wagers. And when it comes to the Super Bowl, the biggest betting day of the year, DC bookies will offers ample opportunities to get in on the excitement with prop bets and special promotions. It’s a can’t-miss betting spectacle.
How to Bet on Basketball in Washington DC
Basketball is easily the second-most popular market after football. Easily! But dare we say it can be the most fun IF live betting? The fast-paced, high-scoring nature of the game combined with constant momentum swings creates an intense in-play experience. As the action unfolds, odds shift rapidly, allowing bettors to capitalize on turning points instantly. Whether it’s the NBA or D1 college games, DC sportsbooks offer a fully immersive live-betting environment that keeps you on the edge of your seat from tip-off to the final buzzer.
How to Bet on Baseball in Washington DC
With the Washington Nationals offering year-round action, baseball gambling is a favorite among those who enjoy volume betting. Baseball’s 162-game regular season, plus the playoffs, gives bettors more opportunities to place wagers than any other sport. It’s really uncanny and a savvy bettor can exploit it to their gain.
How to Bet on Fighting in Washington DC
Combat sports have no shortage of betting options. UFC, Bellator, PFL, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, boxing — it’s all on the table at DC sportsbooks. Most these fights are over the weekends so it’s something to look forward to. It’s easy for a bettor to only pay attention to the big, championship fights but there’s often hidden value in undercards too. Bettors just need to be well-versed enough to spot it.
Betting On Washington DC Teams
As mentioned before, there’s no shortage of pro sports action in DC. This means locals fans will have a team to bet on year-round. Here’s how to get action on each of those major teams:
Betting On Washington DC NFL Team
Historically, the NFL team — once called the Redskins now called the Commanders — was the pride of the city. Then Dan Snyder bought the team and the losses piled up, the stadium broke down, and yes, the team name controversy raged on. Snyder has finally sold the franchise so there’s a glimmer of hope Washington DC can return to its old prestige. But whether they’re winning or not, bettors flock to wagering on the team. Any and every matchup the Commanders are in will offer the full gamut of betting odds.
Betting On Washington DC NBA Team
The Wizards represent DC in the NBA, and not necessarily in the best way. This franchise has long struggled, even when they were called the Bullets and had an aging Michael Jordan on the roster (and front office). Still, the Wizards are a betting attraction, especially when they play a high-profile team like the Lakers or Warriors.
Betting On Washington DC MLB Team
The Nationals have an appropriate name as DC’s resident MLB team. As mentioned before, out of all the local teams, it’s they that offer the most betting opportunities by a longshot. Helping their betting cause is the Nationals have been the most successful of the DC teams as of late, winning the World Series in 2019.
Betting On Washington DC NHL Team
We’d argue the biggest sports star in the city is one Alex Ovechkin. He’s spent all 20 years of his illustrious career in the city and has become one of the all-time greats. Ovechkin and company also delivered the city its first major championship — the 2018 Stanley Cup — in 24 years (the Nationals would follow it the year after). So yes, there’s betting appetite for Capitals and hockey.
Washington DC Betting Revenue Statistics
As we covered earlier, Washington DC hasn’t had the smoothest sports betting operation despite legalizing early on. The original app was a total disaster and we’re just now seeing the real bookmakers enter the market.
But in spite of this chaos, the market is showing signs of growth — and big ones are that. In the first seven months of 2024, sports betting revenue surged by more than double, reaching $21.4 million. Additionally, the total amount wagered saw a significant increase of 65.4%, rising to $162.8 million.
This bodes well for the Fall and Winter seasons when football is in full swing. Now that Washington DC has competent operators, we fully expect them to smash previous revenue records. The trend is clearly up in the nation’s capital.
Other Types Of Betting In Washington DC
Betting options are limited beyond sports betting, which probably isn’t surprising given how small Washington DC is. For one, there are no casinos in the district. Anyone who wants a Vegas-style casino experience will have to travel to nearby states. The closest casinos are in Maryland and Virginia.
But what can you do? Daily fantasy sports betting is allowed, though that’s lost some luster now that sports betting is a thing.
There’s also the DC Lottery. Anyone who wants to test their luck can participate in lottery contests like scratch-off tickets, daily draw games, and multi-state lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions.
Sports Betting Rules In Each State
We have in-depth betting guides beyond just Washington DC. Every single state has its own guide, all of which were listing underneath for your convenience:
Responsible Gaming In Washington DC
One final piece of advice: please bet responsibly. We mean, you’re in the nation’s capital, a place that’s supposed to exude virtue — though we know that’s not always the case. Still, you want to avoid turning betting from a fun hobby to a debilitating issue. This can happen when a bettor loses grips on gambling and starts betting more than they can afford to lose.
One of the best ways to stay in control is by establishing a clear betting budget. Set a firm limit on how much you’re comfortable losing — this should be on disposable income, and not include necessities like groceries or rent. Sticking to that budget, however, can be challenging, especially when the temptation to chase losses arises. Discipline is key to keeping things in check.
If you find that gambling is becoming an issue —if you're frequently exceeding your budget or feeling anxious about betting — Washington DC offers resources that can help. Don’t hesitate to reach out if gambling starts to affect your life or someone close to you:
DC Department of Behavioral Health Problem Gambling Hotline
They provide confidential support and resources for those struggling with gambling addiction. Call 1-800-522-4700 for help.
Gamblers Anonymous Washington DC (http://www.gamblersanonymous.org)
A peer-led organization offering meetings throughout the district.
There’s also services available on a national level:
Gambling Addiction Support Network (https://www.gamblingaddictionsupport.org/)
A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.centerforresponsiblegaming.org/)
The Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.
24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.gamblinghelponline.org/24-7-helpline)
A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems."