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Best Washington DC sports betting sites in September 2024

Map of USA, where state of Washington DC is pinned.

Are you looking for the best Washington DC sports betting sites you can gamble on the go and desktop? If so, you are at the right places as in our detailed guide on DC sports betting and retail sports betting options in the American capital will shed light on what is allowed. Read on and have a rewarding and fun time with your favorite teams and sprots!

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The leading Washington DC online sports books

Last updated: 12.09.2024
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Above are some of the best online sports betting sites you can use in DC.

Is sports betting legal in Washington DC? It is under certain conditions and restrictions. Capital city has a trio of great sportsbooks: BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel. But residents are limited, as BetMGM and Caesars DC sports betting sites are only available inside of or near Nationals Park or Capitol One Arena. For DC online sports betting residents can use the services of FanDuel without conditions. On this page you will learn the history of betting in Capital and within the city limits, the legal forms of gambling and age, the best DC betting sites, the top local teams, and sports to bet on, and more.

Is sports betting legal in DC and what forms are allowed? Thankfully, DC sports betting is permitted both online and offline under certain conditions. The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act 22-594 Cods of 2018 authorized lottery-run mobile sports betting apps and platforms and third-party retail betting. The Caesars and BetMGM retail sportsbooks have proven more successful than the Intralot-powered lottery platform GamebetDC. FanDuel took over GambetDC in April 2024, promising to give DC bettors significantly improved online sports betting experience.

  • Betting Laws under the Lottery Amendment Act (SWLA Act of 2018)

    The laws for Washington betting sites and the ones for DC and their respective residents differ. The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 established the following basic ground rules:

    • 10% tax on gross revenue.
    • Bars, restaurants, and other establishments may receive 5-year licenses, which would cost them $50,000.
    • The four named in the bill stadiums may apply for 5-year licenses after paying $250,000.
    • RFK stadium is located on federally-owned land, so it is not eligible to apply.
    • Mobile betting offered by a joint partnership between the DC Lottery and Intralot.
    • Stadium with DC sportsbooks may offer mobile betting only to players who are present at the stadium.
    • Stadiums have a two-block radius exclusivity within which no other sportsbooks are allowed to operate.

    Here are the DC sports betting law specifics for the different types of wagering:

  • Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) – in the grey area

    Washington DC lawmakers have not shown much interest in regulating fantasy sports, leaving them in a legal grey area. On the other hand, all mainstream operators accept DC bettors for DFS, and local authorities seem okay with the current status quo. Daily fantasy sports fans in DC can visit name-brand operators like FanDuel and DraftKings to join massive, guaranteed prize pool tournaments or participate in smaller contests with unique ways to play, such as prediction contests.

    Users must be 18 or older to take part in fantasy contests in Washington DC.

    The best Washington DC DFS sites and apps are:

    • FanDuel DFS
    • DraftKings DFS
    • DraftKings Pick6
    • PrizePicks
    • ParlayPlay.io
    • Boom Fantasy

    Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is an alternative to major league sports teams and players. You can assess your knowledge and skills in DFS on a variety of NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, NHL PGA, and similar events.

  • Retail sportsbooks – Legal

    The District of Columbia has expanded its retail legal betting segment, being home to the NBA`s Washington Wizards as well as the NHL`s Washington Capitals. BetMGM Sportsbooks has collaborated with MLB`s Washington Nationals through Nationals Park. Caesars Sportsbook made steps towards locating inside the 18,000-square-foot Capital One Arena in Washington DC. These are all Class A licenses. There is a mixture of Class A and Class B retail licenses in the DC District. Examples of Class B retail licenses are Audi Field and St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena. Some bars and restaurants may be eligible for a Class B license.

  • Licensed DC sportsbooks – Legal

    Five retail sportsbooks have the right to provide on-site betting services: BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park, Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena, FanDuel Sportsbook at Audi Field, Grand Central Sportsbook, and Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge. Three DC bars (Duffy`s Irish Pub, Wet Dog Tavern, and The Bri) have applied for Class B sports betting licenses. Duffy`s Irish Pub presently operates with self-serve GambetDC betting kiosks. All DC betting kiosks are going to transition to FanDuel in 2024.

Most popular land-based sportsbooks in Washington DC
Verified by:Declan WillisAuthor at Online-Gambling.io
Last updated: 28.06.2024
SportsbookLocationOwnerLaunch dateOnline betting / Gambling website
1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003, United StatesBetMGMJan. 31, 2022Yes
601 F St NW, Washington DC, DC 20004-1605Caesars SportsbookMay 2021Yes
100 Potomac Ave., Washington DC, DC 20024-3404FanDuel GroupJuly 8, 2022Yes
4573 Queen St, Chutes du Niagara, CA L2E 2L7Grand Central LLCOctober 2021Yes
476 K St NW, Washington DC, DC 20001-2531476 K St NW, Washington DC, DC 20001-2531October 4, 2021Yes

History of sports betting in Washington DC

From early bookmaking to today’s digital platforms, Washington DC’s sports betting journey has shown an immense evolution. The district has undergone significant regulatory changes and market shifts, especially with FanDuel’s rise as a dominant force in 2024, signaling a completely new era for bettors in the capital.

DC sports betting background

The District of Columbia does not have a long record in sports betting due to the lack of legislative push before the PASPA annulation. While the other US authorities have had busy years getting an advance, DC had not passed any dc sports betting law since the 1908 ban on horse racing in the district by Congress. Washington DC also did not pass a sports betting law to regulate Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), which were considered games of the skills and thus exempt from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).

2018: Legalizing sports betting: DC’s path after PASPA

In May 2018, the US Supreme Court deemed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) unconstitutional. This allowed each American state to regulate its own betting market, also putting an end to Nevada`s monopolistic influence on sports betting in the USA.

Not long after that, DC introduced bill B22-0944 to create a possible framework for legal sports betting. The bill, also known as the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act, would allow retail and online sports bets in Washington DC. The DC Lottery became the regulatory and licensing body for mobile gambling. After three bill amendments, in December 2018 the SWLAA reached Mayor Muriel Bowser, which would help legalize sports betting in DC in early 2019.

The signing of the Sports Wagering Amendment Act in 2019

Bowser signed off on Bill B22-0944 in January 2019 as expected, which prepared the landscape for legal DC sports betting to be launched in the capital. But, unlike other US areas, bills in Federal city must be submitted to the US Congress prior to being confirmed as laws. This procedure was completed in May 2019, and this is how DC’s legal sports betting industry began existence. Two months later, the District of Columbia`s Office of Lottery and Gaming finalized the local rules and regulations, making legal wagering reality.

2020 – The first DC sportsbook GambetDC open doors

Sports betting has been lawful since 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic obstructed the first sportsbook`s launch for an entire year. On May 29, 2020, DC had its first-ever online sportsbook GambetDC opened to the public, but it was left disappointed by the operator’s incredibly poor odds. Operated by the Office of Lottery and Gaming, GambetDC also launched its online sportsbook app accessible anywhere within the jurisdiction.

2021: Other big players enter the scene

On May 26, 2021, Caesars launched its retail sportsbook at the Capital One Arena, becoming the first commercial sportsbook in the District of Columbia. Players can only access it online within two blocks of its retail location. After William Hill/Caesars landed its mobile app in Washington DC, in June 2021, BetMGM made its move launching its geo-restricted mobile app and retail sportsbook at Nationals Park. GambetDC had to compete against two industry giants, which wasn`t successful.

The other sportsbook that made its debut, opening its Class B ‘Grand Central Sportsbook’ on October 5, 2021, was Grand Central Restaurant and Bar. It ran two betting kiosks and a staffed betting window.

2022: FanDuel launches its first retail sportsbook in DC

On July 8, 2022, FanDuel positioned itself in DC with a brand-new retail location at Audi Field. This was an important event, namely the first time a sportsbook opened in a Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium (Audi Field) in the USA. Although FanDuel had a geofenced mobile app at the time, the company chose a retail-only approach, with no set timetable for a mobile launch.

2022 was also the year when Caesars revealed that they will replace their ‘Caesars by William Hill’ platform with an updated Caesars app for sports betting, after having acquired and rebranded William Hill in 2021. In 2023, DC lawmakers nullified a ruling that had ensured guaranteed funding for gambling problem initiatives, met with angst from responsible gambling organizations.

The most important DC sports betting laws

DC sports betting became legal with the signing of the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act (SWLAA) of 2019. This legislation allows retail and online sports betting, which is regulated by the DC Lottery. Retail sportsbooks, like BetMGM at Nationals Park and Caesars at Capital One Arena, can operate lawfully within a two-block radius of their locations. Online betting, accessible only through GambetDC, is available throughout the whole district. Bettors must be at least 18 years old. Wagering on in-district college sports is forbidden.

2021 was an extremely tough year for GambetDC, which struggled to compete with the giants BetMGM and Caesars. In 2022, an unexpected technical issue with GamebetDC`s app created more problems and expenses during the Super Bowl event. Currently, FanDuel is the leader in the DC sports betting market. BetMGM is another great operator you can use within a two-block radius of Nationals Park.

Significant changes occurred in 2024 when FanDuel Sportsbook became the dominant gambling force but raised concerns about high tax rates impacting market competitiveness. Council member Kenyan McDuffie proposed amendments to open the market to more DC sportsbooks by introducing Type-C licenses and suggesting new tax rates.

Washington DC sports betting expected future

The proposed legislation could potentially grant Intralot and FanDuel an exclusive market presence for the next two years, ensuring them a significant head start over major competitors like BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook. The lottery`s demand for a two-year extension of its Intralot deal would coincide with the potential market monopoly, while BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, and Fanatics Sportsbook representatives are in favor of an open, competitive DC sports betting marketplace.

Washington DC`s legislation allows the launch of five Class A sportsbooks. Elys Game Technology has signed an agreement to launch Class B sportsbooks with many restaurants in Federal City. The company announced its USBookmaking sportsbook opened at Cigar Lounge and Entitlement Restaurant.

Is sports betting legal in the nation’s capital and on what conditions? The short answer is yes, it has been lawful since 2019. Individuals as young as 18 years old can place wagers. But there are differences to each type of betting. For online and in-person sports betting at locations that sell alcohol like bars, the minimum age requirement is usually twenty-one. The 21-year and older requirement is valid also for licensed DC betting apps and retail sportsbooks.

To take part in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and buy tickets from the DC Lottery, individuals need to be 18 years of age or older. For online betting sites, players must be over the age of twenty-one and be physically located in DC to access the best Washington DC sports betting sites, which also requires a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and mailing address for registration.

Legal sports betting age

Betting typeLegal age at land-based establishmentLegal age onlineLegal since
Retail Sports Betting21–2019
Online Sports Betting2121May 2019
Mobile Betting within Stadium21–2021

Who cannot take part in sports betting in Washington DC?

Can you sports bet in Washington DC? Thankfully, you can, but there are certain individuals restricted. The following individuals are prohibited from placing bets:

  • Sports team coaches, players, employees, or members of professional teams.
  • Referees, umpires, or officials in college and professional sports leagues.
  • Individuals with professional or regulatory authority over players or sports league employees who can influence rules.
  • Employees of organizations licensed by the Office of Lottery and Gaming.
  • Sports team owners.
  • People with access to non-public information about sports teams.
  • Individuals who have self-excluded from gambling.
  • Anyone prohibited from betting in D.C. due to legal restrictions.

How to choose the best Washington DC sports betting sites

Before you place a wager, you need to decide where to sign up. To gamble remotely, you can use BetMGM Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook`s services. BetMGM Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook are excellent for in-person betting, while for online wagers, you must be within a two-block radius of their respective local sporting venues. Sign up for all three major brands to get the most out of them.

Best overall sports betting platformBetMGM
The mobile appGambetDC
Best for competitive oddsBetMGM
Best welcome bonusCaesars
Great for bettors-newbiesBetMGM
Excellent for market coverageCaesars
Great payment methodsGambetDC
Excellent choice for withdrawal speedBetMGM
High-class customer serviceCaesars
Best browser and app user interfaceBetMGM

Top 3 most popular Washington DC sports

The best Washington DC sports betting sites feature games of the most popular sports in DC: hockey (NHL), basketball (NBA), and baseball (MLB). These local Washington DC sports teams have become remarkably successful since their inception. The capital has turned into a paradise for players who are into silverware, which goes for college sports and the MLS, although players cannot support their favorite university teams online or at retail sportsbooks.

Hockey (NHL)

The National Hockey League is an eminent professional ice hockey league in North America. The NHL season usually runs from October to April, its playoffs extending into June. Thanks to the Washington Capitals` success, hockey has become one of the most popular local sports. Its immense glory and presence at the Capital One Arena contribute to the sport’s popularity in DC, which extends beyond the professional level to college and youth leagues.

Basketball (NBA)

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a major professional basketball league in North America, with 30 teams. The Washington Wizzards, compete in the NBA, holding a significant position in the sports scene of D.C. The team’s games at the Capital One Arena enjoy a countless fan base, which contributes to the sport’s popularity in the region.

Football (NFL)

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league, represented by the Washington Commanders. The team holds a prominent position in the sports landscape of Washington DC. Its activity at FedEx Field popularize football in DC. The NFL season runs from September to January, and its culmination is in February when the Super Bowl takes place. Established in 1932, the Commanders have a significant history, marked by multiple championship titles and Super Bowl victories.

Most important Washington DC sports teams

The D.C. metropolitan area, though small, has a rich history of successful sports teams. The Commanders have won three Super Bowls. Other local teams, including the NBA`s Wizards, MLB`s Nationals, NHL`s Capitals, and MLS`s D.C. United, have also won major championships.

The biggest DC sports teams are:

  • Washington Wizzards
  • Washington Capitals
  • Washington Commanders
  • Washington Nationals
  • DC United

More about each read below.

Washington Wizards logo

Washington Wizzards

The Washington Wizards` most productive period was the 1970s, with Wes Unseld Sr. at the heart of this golden era in DC basketball. He became the second player in NBA history, having won Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in his first season for the Baltimore Bullets. As the franchise moved from Baltimore to Washington, Unseld became a central player who led his team to the NBA Championship back in 1978.

Another teammate and three-time All-Star Phil Chenier followed the Wizards` rise to the top of the game, which could have resulted in more championships from four finals appearances. Unfortunately, the later years have been tougher for Wizards fans, who hope that the head coach will bring the team back to the playoffs.

Capital One Arena, the home of the Washington Wizzards, had a historical moment on May 26, 2021, when it became the first North American sports venue to open a retail sportsbook. William Hill was the first operator to sign a 10-year contract with arena owner Monumental Sports. Soon after that, Caesars gained control over it, rebranding the arena in honor of the Roman emperor.

Washington Capitals logo

Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals fans can be proud of their Stanley Cup and Presidents’ Trophy wins in 2017-18. The 2018 Stanley Cup victory marked their first championship in their 44th season, making up for their loss to the Red Wings 20 years earlier. In the 1997-98 season, veterans Adam Oates, Dale Hunter, and Phil Housley each scored their 1000th career points at the time of the opening of Capital One Arena and 14 straight playoff appearances.

The first-class Capital One Arena is the home of the Washington Wizards, now housing Caesars Sportsbook. The two-story sports franchise has street access and is open most of the time during the year. Outside the sportsbook 1,500-square-foot LED screen welcomes visitors. Inside, they have access to several big-screen TVs, 17 betting windows, and 12 self-serve kiosks. The Caps’ greatest-ever player Alexander Ovechkin is still the captain of the team. The Russian winger`s list of personal awards and 700+ career goals prove Ovechkin`s Hall-of-Fame player status.

Washington Commanders logo

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders, DC`s NFL pride, playing at FedEx Field, have a large fan base despite not advancing past the Wild Card round since 2005. Their peak was from 1982-1992, winning three Super Bowls under coach Joe Gibbs, the only coach to win with three different starting quarterbacks.

In 1932 and 1943, the Burgundy and Gold team won two early championships. Among the most popular players of the Washington Commanders include quarterback Joe Theismann, who had one Super Bowl triumph and another exemplary appearance.

Washington Nationals logo

Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals fans will always cherish their first World Series victory in 2019. They began the playoffs with a tight 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, followed by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers and advancing to the NLCS for the first time. The Nationals then beat the St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros. With the COVID-19 pandemic, several star players were traded, and GM Mike Rizzo had to rebuild the team.

The partnership between BetMGM and the Washington Nationals led to the BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park, the first retail sportsbook connected to a Major League Baseball stadium. The innovative venue offers a 4,000-square-foot sports bar with impressive amenities, betting windows, kiosks, and a 40-foot bar. Sports fans can also use the BetMGM sportsbook app within a two-block radius of the park.

DC United logo

DC United

DC United was one of the most successful franchises in MLS history in the 90s. Thanks to Bruce Arena`s brilliant leadership, the Audi Field team secured the first two MLS Cups and then got another two seasons in 1998. The team presently has four MLS Cups: four Supporters` Shields and three USA Cups. Among the star names on Audi Field is record goal scorer Jaime Moreno, who scored 131 goals in 329 games for United in the early days.

The signing of England`s Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney into the 2018 season didn`t bring the expected success. Rooney finished top scorer in two consecutive campaigns, but United failed to navigate the first round of the playoffs or win any other silverware.

In 2011, DC passed the first online gambling law in U.S. history. Unfortunately, the DC city council nullified the law in February 2012 because of procedural issues and a lack of transparency. Apart of sports betting, all types of online gambling, including casino establishments, poker, and horse racing, remain illegal in Capital city. Residents who are of 18 or older age can only use the lottery and DFS.

DC lottery – legal

In early 2021, DC Lottery made its games available online with the launch of DC iLottery for players of 18 or older years of age. Residents can visit DCiLottery.com from desktop computers and mobile devices to play hits like Mega Millions, Powerball, and all kinds of instant win games online.

The Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) operates GambetDC, overseeing the DC Lottery as well. The latter operates 401 locations in total where you can buy lottery tickets. Forty-one locations of them offer GambetDC kiosks you can place sports bets at. The only physical sportsbook with betting lines for access from retail lottery locations are offered by GambetDC.

The DC Lottery provides relatively high payout rates – an average of more than half of all sales go back to players as winnings. Today, it has paid over $3 billion to winners, still operating very efficiently. Popular games that residents of District of Columbia can play at the DC Lottery include local draw options, scratch cards, and multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions. Overall, the DC Lottery is comparable to other state lotteries although the city has smaller population.

Retail and online casinos – illegal

Since USA online casinos are unlawful in the Capital of the United States no local gambling facilities operate. Players can engage in online sports betting, lottery, and charitable gambling by the law, but online gambling is illegal for now, which doesn`t seem to prospectively change soon. Residents can visit nearby casinos in Maryland, while West Virginia is the best for online casino betting.

Poker – illegal

Washington DC legislation allows only charity poker events, but no legal poker gambling. So, residents and visitors can use the several available poker tables in Maryland and West Virginia. Sadly, for the moment both online poker sites and casinos are unlawful, with no indications that lawmakers are planning to change that are present.

Horse betting – illegal

Washington DC does not allow any forms of horse race betting, so there are no dedicated horse racing tracks, off-track betting sites (OTBs) or advance deposit wagering sites (ADWs) for residents to use. Maryland and Virginia offer nearby live and online wagering options. Pimlico Race Course is the other popular option for live betting.

DC sports betting – The conclusion

What gambling options do you have, and is betting legal in DC? You can place bets, but you are extremely limited. To participate in sports betting in Washington DC besides using local venues, you’ll be restricted to the lottery-run GamBetDC app, expected to be taken over by FanDuel Sportsbook. To access a more well-established betting platform, head over to Nationals Park and use BetMGM`s services. You can also visit Capital One Park to place bets with another well-established platform, Caesars Sportsbook. Federal City`s and GambetDC`s combined commercial betting handle for 2023 has shown a steady increase, almost doubling from January to December.

Declan WillisAuthor at Online-Gambling.io

DC sports betting FAQ

Is online sports betting legal in DC?

Yes, both online and offline betting on sports within Seat of government is allowed by the law. It is regulated by the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG).

Is betting legal in DC through a mobile device and sports betting app?

Yes, mobile sports betting is lawful, and you can bet on sports via any sport betting app of your choice or use the FanDuel website.

Is online sports betting legal in DC for visitors and non-residents?

Yes, you can make an account, deposit, place bets and even cash out your winnings through any active sportsbook in Federal city, as long as you are within district borders. Make sure to complete your transactions before leaving since once you`re outside DC, you will no longer have access to your account(s).

Is online gambling legal in Washington DC?

Sports betting in DC, both retail and online, is allowed but not all gambling forms are. More on the topic is betting legal in Washington DC and which forms are, check our section here. You can also learn which other types of gambling legal in Washington DC besides sports betting.

How do you gamble and engage in sports betting in DC?

Your DC online sports betting options are using the services of FanDuel Sportsbook from almost anywhere in the district. You need to visit retail DC sportsbooks like BetMGM and Caesars to bet in person or online.