Washington D.C. Sports Betting

In-person and online sports betting is legal in Washington DC due to legislation passed in 2019 authorizing retail sportsbooks and mobile betting apps.

The Washington DC online sports betting market expanded considerably in July 2024 after lawmakers ended the near-monopoly FanDuel had over districtwide betting. Now, multiple sportsbooks are licensed to offer online sports betting in Washington DC.

Legal Washington DC Betting Sites

FanDuel SportsbookBet $5 Get $300FanDuel Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus
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21+ and physically present in DC minus federal exclusion zones. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-GAMBLER.

Other legal forms of gambling located within the District of Columbia are the DC lottery and daily fantasy sports. Additionally, the city is surrounded by gambling-friendly states with numerous casinos and sportsbooks within driving distance.

Online poker sites and casinos are illegal, and there are no indications lawmakers are planning to change that. Online horse racing betting is prohibited in Washington DC, but Maryland and Virginia allow horse racing betting, and Laurel Park is just a short drive away.

Legal Washington DC Sports Betting Apps

FanDuel SportsbookBet $5 Get $300FanDuel Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus

FanDuel Sportsbook was Washington DC’s only districtwide online sportsbook for several months.

FanDuel replaced GambetDC as the DC Lottery’s official mobile betting app in April 2024, making FanDuel the only sportsbook authorized to offer districtwide betting. However, lawmakers amended DC’s online sports betting regulations several months later and cleared the way for BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and other sportsbook brands to join FanDuel in offering online betting across the district.

The FanDuel DC app is available to customers 18 or older and located anywhere in Washington DC except federal land and a two-block radius of any stadium that qualifies for a sports betting license.

FanDuel Sportsbook DC is not available in the following locations:

  • Within two blocks of Audi Field, Capital One Arena, Nationals Parks, and St. Elizabeths East Entertainment & Sports Arena
  • The National Mall
  • Rock Creek Park
  • East Potomac Park
  • The White House, Capitol, and Congressional office buildings

BetMGM SportsbookDaily Promotions Get Bonus

The BetMGM DC app offers mobile sports betting to fans located almost anywhere in DC except federal land and within two blocks of stadiums partnered with other sportsbook brands.

The BetMGM app provides competitive odds, frequent promos, extensive wagering options, and a high-quality interface. Bettors who can make it to the vicinity of Nationals Park should strongly consider using the BetMGM DC app to shop for the best odds and offers.

Caesars Sportsbook$1000 Bonus BetCaesars Sportsbook Promo Code: BUSA1000 Get Bonus

Caesars Sportsbook offers mobile betting in DC for sports bettors throughout DC.

The Caesars Washington DC sports betting app isn’t as strong as BetMGM and FanDuel when it comes to wagering options and pricing, but it scores well in promotion frequency and customer rewards. When bettors join Caesars Sportsbook, they become automatic Caesars Rewards members and earn points to unlock a massive array of benefits, ranging from betting bonuses to travel packages.

Caesars Sportsbook also operates dozens of self-serve betting kiosks throughout DC. Caesars Rewards members earn Reward Credits for every wager they place via self-serve kiosks, online through the Caesars Sportsbook app, and in-person at Capital One Arena.

Fanatics Sportsbook offers legal online sports betting in Washington DC in partnership with the Washington Spirit women’s soccer team.

DraftKings Sportsbook launched for DC bettors in July 2024 through a market access agreement with D.C. United.

ESPN Bet gained access to the Washington DC sports betting market after its parent company, PENN Entertainment, struck a partnership agreement with Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

Monumental Sports operates the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the NBA’s Washington Wizards, and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. The partnership includes advertising rights and “unique hospitality and experiences” for ESPN Bet customers.

DC Online Sports Betting Regulations

DC sports betting law requires bettors to be within city lines when placing wagers. However, customers may sign up for accounts, deposit funds, and view the lines from anywhere. For example, commuters may register their accounts and view the odds before heading into DC and then place their wagers once they cross into city limits.

DC law requires online sportsbooks to verify the identity and location of every customer. New customers may make deposits and place wagers for 30 days without verifying but must complete the verification process after 30 days or before making their first withdrawal.

Verification requires scanning or taking a clear photo of one of the following documents and then uploading it in the “My Account” section after logging in:

  • Social Security card
  • State-issued ID
  • Driver’s license
  • Valid passport

Washington DC sports betting sites may accept wagers on a broad range of professional and college sports with two noteworthy restrictions:

  • No bets allowed on college games involving DC universities
  • No bets allowed on college games that take place in DC

Washington DC Sportsbook Promo Codes

Below is a roundup of the best DC betting promo codes and welcome offers for new customers:

Betting SitePromo CodeBonus Offer
FanDuel DC Promo CodeN/ABet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If You Win
BetMGM DC Bonus CodeBUSABONUS$1500 Second Chance Bet
Caesars Sportsbook DC Promo CodeBUSA1000$1000 Bonus Bet
DraftKings DC Promo CodeN/ABet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets
Fanatics Sportsbook DC Promo CodeN/ABet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets

Washington DC Betting Bonuses

Washington DC betting sites offer welcome bonuses as they compete for market share and try to funnel bettors away from illegal offshore sportsbooks.

Washington DC sports betting regulations address promotions and bonuses indirectly with rules that require sportsbooks to engage in marketing that does not:

  • Contain false or misleading information
  • Target anyone under 18 or customers who have self-excluded
  • Target groups who are at high risk for problem gambling
  • Encourage bettors to chase their losses or reinvest their winnings
  • Suggest sports betting as a means to solve financial problems

Additionally, DC sports betting regulations require sportsbooks to process withdrawals “within a reasonable timeframe.” However, sportsbooks may restrict promotional and bonus credits from withdrawal until users have met all clearing requirements.

Washington D.C. Sportsbook Locations

Washington, DC law permits two types of retail sportsbooks:

  • Class A: Sportsbooks at qualified stadiums – may also offer mobile sports betting in DC
  • Class B: Sportsbooks at bars, restaurants, and other locations – may also offer mobile betting to customers physically located within the establishment

BetMGM Sportsbook partnered with the Washington Nationals to operate a retail sportsbook at the stadium and mobile betting within a two-block radius. The BetMGM retail sportsbook at Nationals Park opened in early 2022.

Caesars Sportsbook D.C. operates a retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena to take wagers in person. Caesars Entertainment completed construction of its permanent sportsbook in May 2021, complete with 100 TVs, nearly 20 betting windows, and 12 self-serve kiosks.

601 F Street
Washington, DC 20004

FanDuel operates a 2,550-square-foot sportsbook at D.C. United’s Audi Field, served by three betting windows and 18 betting kiosks open seven days a week until midnight.

The sportsbook provides stadium-style seating, high-top seating, a full bar and dozens of TVs to watch the day’s games in a bright, open atmosphere.

100 Potomac Ave SW
Washington, DC 20024

Grand Central Sportsbook opened to DC bettors after receiving the District’s first non-stadium sports betting license. Guests can visit Grand Central to bet on sports in-person at numerous betting kiosks and teller windows, watch the games, and order from a full food menu.

2447 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Over Under is a rooftop sportsbook and cocktail bar with a focus on high-end service and decor. Guests can look forward to an extensive liquor menu, craft cocktails, and about two dozen TVs.

476 K St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Additionally, several sportsbooks in Maryland and West Virginia are within driving distance of Washington DC and attract no small number of DC-area residents. Below are some of the best DC sportsbooks not technically located in DC.

  • Drive time: about half an hour
  • Address: 101 MGM National Drive, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

  • Drive time: less than an hour
  • Address: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

  • Drive time: less than an hour
  • Address: 7002 Arundel Mills Cir #7777, Hanover, MD 21076

  • Drive time: less than an hour
  • Address: 1600 Ring Rd, Landover, MD 20785

Washington D.C. Sports Betting Kiosks

Caesars Sportsbook operates nearly 50 sports betting kiosks on behalf of the DC Lottery at businesses across the District. Bettors 18+ can place cash wagers for a traditional ticket-in-hand experience or deposit cash to fund their mobile Caesars Sportsbook accounts.

After users insert cash and place their wagers, DC betting kiosks print ticket receipts that winners can redeem at any authorized sports betting retailer.

Bettors can find Caesars Sportsbook kiosks at the following DC-area businesses:

  • Ben’s Next Door
  • Ivy City Smokehouse
  • A-1 Wines & Liquor
  • H Street Liquors
  • Neighborhood Market (1611 Rhode Island Ave.)
  • Metro Wine & Spirits
  • Shell (Parkway)
  • Citgo (Freedom)
  • Abunai
  • Trinity Grill & Social Marketplace
  • Duffy’s Irish Pub (Dupont Circle NW)
  • Flagler Market
  • Minnesota Liquors
  • Shipley Liquors
  • Gateway Market
  • O’Connor’s Liquors
  • Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place
  • Nick’s Riverside Grill
  • AST Market
  • Argyle
  • Patron Convenience Store
  • Thomas & Sons Mini Grocery
  • Ram Grocery
  • Exxon (Columbia Heights)
  • The Artemis
  • Greenway Liquors
  • Fairfax Liquors
  • Grand Liquor
  • Reyna Liquor, Market & Deli
  • Suburban Liquors
  • Texas Convenience Store
  • BP (Benning Rd.)
  • Southern Express Liquors
  • Bowen Discount Liquors
  • Fort Drum Market
  • Gateway Newstands (L’Enfant Plaza)
  • Capitol View Market
  • DC Supermart & Z Burger
  • Lobby Mart
  • Jefferson Liquors
  • Riggs Liquors
  • MAX Liquors
  • Takoma Park Liquors
  • Food Barn
  • BP (Blair Rd.)
  • Mayfair Liquors
  • BP (Georgia Ave.)
  • Morris Miller Wines & Liquors

How D.C. Legalized Sports Betting

The march to legal sports betting in D.C. began in 2018 when Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans introduced a bill to legalize the activity and put the DC Lottery in charge. The bill was titled the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 and sought to legalize in-person and online sports betting within city limits.

The DC Council voted on and approved the bill in December 2018 to send it to the mayor’s office. After gaining the mayor’s signature, the bill was sent to Congress for a 30-day waiting period before officially becoming law.

The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 established some basic ground rules:

  • 10% tax on gross revenue
  • Restaurants, bars, and other establishments may receive 5-year licenses at the cost of $50,000
  • The four stadiums named in the bill may apply for 5-year licenses at the cost of $250,000
  • RFK stadium may not apply due to its location on federally-owned land
  • Mobile betting to be offered by a joint partnership between the DC Lottery and Intralot
  • Stadium sportsbooks may offer mobile wagers to players physically present at the stadium
  • Stadiums have a two-block exclusivity zone within which no other sportsbooks may operate

Later amendments adjusted the law to end the DC Lottery/Intralot monopoly and allow licensed sportsbooks to serve customers located anywhere in the District.

Although Washington DC does not represent a significant sports betting market with a population just shy of 700,000 residents, Evans said the bill would benefit the city with neighboring states poised to draw city residents across state lines to place their bets. The logic goes that if money is going to be spent on sports betting in neighboring states, the District of Columbia might as well legalize it at home, tax it, and collect some revenue.

Evans specifically named the Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino in Charlestown, West Virginia as a prime example of money leaving the state. In a press release, Evans pointed out that the manager of Hollywood Casino has told media outlets that the sportsbook is “heavily targeting the D.C. metro area” due to DC having no legal betting industry.

As Evans put it, “We can be first and get a lot of money or 51st and not get any.”

Just a short drive away from DC, West Virginia has enacted some of the most business-friendly sports betting rules in the nation, with a licensing fee of just $100,000 and a 10% tax on revenue.

Delaware is the next-closest state with legal sports betting, and the operating environment there isn’t nearly as competitive. Delaware’s casinos share half their revenue with the state, which is effectively a 50% tax on sports betting.

Washington DC approved sports betting in early 2019, and officials hoped to see the industry launch in time for the NFL season. However, the launch of sports betting in DC experienced multiple delays.

Early on, two DC councilmembers requested an investigation into how a local company contracted by Intralot secured a large portion of the workload and payout despite apparently having no employees.

As the councilmembers noted, the local company looked like a “pass-through” organization designed to meet requirements that Intralot work with local companies:

DC councilmember Elissa Silverman put it this way:

“This is likely a ‘pass through’ company in which the money would go back to Intralot who’s the main vendor and that is not what the DC law is designed to do. I mean this is basically a way for the main vendor to capture ALL the money and give a little money to a shell company.

Sports betting seemed to be on the verge of launching when the 2020 coronavirus pandemic reached US shores, resulting in shuttered businesses and canceled sports events across the country. Once again, DC sports betting was delayed.

The DC Lottery finally launched online betting in May 2020 at DCLotterySportsBetting.com under the GambetDC brand.

The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 was a gift from lawmakers to the DC Lottery. Although stadiums could accept mobile wagers from customers who were physically present, the DC Lottery held a monopoly over citywide mobile betting.

Additionally, the law allowed the lottery to bypass the traditional bidding process for a third-party vendor to manage the mobile app. Wizards and Capital owner Ted Leonsis was critical of the decision and put it this way in a statement issued in early 2019:

“We are disappointed that this bill creates a monopoly run by the DC Lottery rather than a competitive marketplace for mobile betting. This is a disservice to fans, who don’t get the benefit of competition in the marketplace, and a disservice to the city, which will lose out on potential investment and job growth. We strongly encourage the Council to reconsider creating a robust, competitive marketplace for mobile betting in D.C.”

The no-bid contract deal with Intralot attracted significant scrutiny over the ensuing months, especially as councilmember Jack Evans was dealing with an ethics scandal of his own. Evans was the chief proponent of giving the contract to Intralot, and council members held a vote to determine whether or not the contract should move forward as planned.

The DC Council eventually voted 7-5 to approve the contract despite the reservations of most council members. Not every member was pleased with the outcome of the vote. Councilmember Elissa Silverman said this:

“This stinks. Given all the ethics clouds over this building and this contract, we need to hit pause. We need to restore the public’s trust, but with the approval of this contract, we will continue to erode it.”

Controversy aside, Washington DC pushed forward with its plan to implement mobile betting in partnership with Intralot, leading to the launch of the GambetDC app.

The GambetDC app was plagued with technical issues from the beginning, received consistently poor customer reviews over its lifetime, and failed to deliver on tax revenue projections.

As the plan’s detractors predicted, the GambetDC app fell short of revenue expectations. Here’s how the Washington Post put it in an early report:

The mobile and online gambling platform GambetDC netted the city about $263,000 between its May soft launch and the end of August, and a sportsbook at Capital One Arena, the only other legal betting venue in the District, raised about $140,000.

That’s far short of the $17 million city officials had projected sports gambling would raise in the fiscal year ending Oct. 1.

The Post went on to say that city officials were quick to point to everything from the pandemic to payment processing issues to geolocation confusion for the poor performance. They did this while ignoring the elephant in the room, the monopoly it created, and the poor pricing it offered.

As BettingUSA’s Steve Ruddock put it, the DC online sports betting market was “a dumpster fire inside a train wreck from the very beginning.”

The DC Office of Lottery and Gaming’s first attempt to quell the fire was to issue a warning about using and promoting unlicensed offshore sportsbooks.

The OLG statement read in part:

With the rapid expansion of legalized sports wagering in the United States and the recent emergence of licensed sportsbook offerings in the District of Columbia, the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) is emphasizing to consumers and to businesses seeking to conduct sports wagering that the only sportsbooks that are legal and authorized to operate in the District are those licensed and regulated by the OLG. Any sports wagering conducted in the District that is not under the OLG’s regulation and oversight is illegal.

Further, media outlets and marketing firms engaged in sportsbook advertising or related activities should exercise caution in endorsing or referencing land based and internet sportsbook operators that are not licensed by the OLG and authorized to accept wagers from customers located in the District.

In March 2024, the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) announced it had approved Intralot’s plan to replace its former subcontractor, GambetDC, with FanDuel Sportsbook.

The FanDuel DC app launched one month later. The DC Lottery gave former GambetDC customers six months to withdraw their funds and advised them to sign up for new accounts with FanDuel.

The OLG’s decision to approve Intralot’s new contract with FanDuel raised additional questions, but it resulted in a dramatically improved product for bettors and more tax revenue for the city. In fact, FanDuel’s initial $5 million payment to the city marked a significant increase in sports betting revenue for DC compared to previous years’ figures. Additionally, Intralot agreed to assume the OLG’s operating expenses to run sports betting.

In June 2024, the DC Council approved a budget amendment to end FanDuel’s monopoly over the DC online sports betting market. The updated rules allowed other sportsbook brands to offer online sports betting throughout Washington DC.

Previously, all operators except FanDuel could only accept mobile wagers from customers physically located within two blocks of their partner stadiums.

Washington D.C. Daily Fantasy Sports

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Washington, DC lawmakers have never shown much interest in fantasy sports one way or another. Current law does not address DFS sites, leaving them in a legal grey area. However, all mainstream operators accept customers from DC, and local authorities seem fine with the current status quo.

D.C Daily fantasy sports fans can visit name-brand operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings to compete in massive, guaranteed prize pool tournaments or smaller operators that offer unique ways to play, including predictions contests.

Fans must be 18 or older to participate in fantasy sports contests in Washington, DC.

The best Washington DC DFS sites and apps include:

Washington D.C. Horse Racing Betting

Washington, DC does not have legal horse racing betting in any form. There are no horse racing tracks, off-track betting locations (OTBs), or advance deposit wagering sites (ADWs) available to residents. Licensed horse racing sites such as TVG.com and TwinSpires do not offer their services in DC.

The nearest major track is Laurel Park, situated between Washington DC and Baltimore. Laurel Park is about a 40-minute drive depending on traffic and hosts races every Sunday through Thursday.

Laurel Park receives a fair number of guests from the city. Residents can visit the track website for directions on driving to Laurel Park from Washington, DC.  

Laurel Park

  • Drive time: about 40 minutes
  • Address: RT 198 & Racetrack Road, Laurel, MD 20724

Washington D.C. Online Gambling

Washington DC does not have much of a gambling industry aside from sports betting, the lottery, and the occasional charitable gambling game. Online gambling is illegal, and there are no indications that will change anytime soon.

Under District of Columbia gambling law, nonprofit organizations may organize raffles, bingo, and Monte Carlo nights if licensed by the DC Lottery’s Charitable Games Division.

DC’s gambling laws make for dry reading, but the main takeaway is that almost everything except the lottery, sports betting, and charitable games is prohibited. Under state law, it is a crime to offer gambling or sports betting to anyone else. Furthermore, anyone who loses $25 or more to anyone else may sue to recover those gambling losses.

Washington D.C. Online Lottery

In early 2021, the DC Lottery took its games online with the launch of DC iLottery for customers 18 or older. Players can visit DCiLottery.com from any desktop computer or mobile device to play Powerball, Mega Millions, and a collection of instant win games online.

DC iLottery automatically deposits all wins under $5,000 to players’ online accounts. Players who win a prize of $5,000 or more can call the DC Lottery Prize Center to schedule an appointment to receive payment.

The DC Lottery offers relatively high payout rates, with an average of more than 50% of all sales going back to players in the form of winnings. To date, the DC Lottery has paid more than $3 billion to winners and continues to run strong to this day.

Other games offered by the DC Lottery include various local draw games, scratch cards, and multi-state games such as Powerball and Mega Millions. In all, the DC Lottery is comparable to other state lotteries despite the city’s comparatively small population.

  • DC-2: A two-digit game with six different bet types and a chance to turn as little as $0.50 into $50. Drawings occur twice a day, seven days a week.
  • DC-3: A three-digit game with nine ways to win prizes ranging from $25 to $500. Drawings occur twice a day, seven days a week.
  • DC-4: A four-digit game with eleven ways to win prizes ranging from $100 to $5,000. Drawings happen twice a day, seven days a week.
  • DC-5: A five-digit game with 120 ways to win prizes ranging from $25 to $25,000. Drawings occur twice a day, seven days a week.
  • Powerball: A multi-state lottery game with some of the biggest jackpots in the world. Past prizes have topped $750 million. Drawings happen twice a week.
  • Mega Millions: Similar to Powerball with equally massive jackpots. The record Mega Millions jackpot stands at $656 million. Mega Millions holds drawings twice a week.
  • Lucky for Life: Buy a ticket for $2 for a chance at winning up to $1,000 a day for life. Drawings happen twice a week.
  • DC Keno: A traditional keno game with drawings held every four minutes and a top prize of $1 million.
  • The Lucky One: A monitor draw game played every four minutes after keno. Pick a number between 1-36 and predict high/low, odd/even, or that exact number. Win 1.5x your bet amount if you correctly predict the high/low or odd/even outcome. Win 24x your bet if you guess the exact number drawn.
  • DC Fast Play: These are instant win games that work just like scratch cards, except they’re printed on paper at the retailer, and no scratching is necessary. There are many different fast play games on offer.
  • Race2Riches: A virtual horse racing game that costs a dollar to play with payouts as high as $1 million.
  • Scratchers: Instant win scratch-off games featuring many different themes, prices, and payouts. The biggest DC Lottery scratchers award a top prize of $1 million.
  • TAP-N-PLAY: Virtual instant win and arcade-style games such as billiards that players access on lottery terminal machines.

Washington DC Sports Betting FAQ

Yes. Washington DC allows retail sportsbooks at stadiums and other qualifying locations, self-serve betting kiosks at licensed bars and restaurants, and online sports betting.

Yes. Washington DC allows citywide online betting through like operators, including FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook.

Bettors in DC have five licensed betting apps to choose from: FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, and DraftKings.

Licensed DC betting apps and retail sportsbooks accept customers 18 and older.

Yes. Sportsbooks may offer college betting except on games that involve local colleges, regardless of where those games take place. College teams that DC bettors cannot bet on include American University, George Washington University, Georgetown, and Howard University.

No. GambetDC accounts did not transfer over to FanDuel.

Unless you have a FanDuel account created in a different state (like Maryland or Virginia), you will need to sign up for a new account to use FanDuel Sportsbook DC. If you already have a FanDuel account created in a different state, you can log in to that account to use FanDuel in DC.