Washington, D.C. online sports betting is available to bettors. Right now, three apps are available in the District, with more to come. However, the opportunity to bet comes with some limitations that are entirely unique to DC.
Sports bettors over 21 and physically located in Washington, D.C. can legally place an online sports bet. However, you must be within a couple blocks of a stadium to bet via BetMGM D.C. or other options. If you want to bet anywhere in the District, you’ll have to use the state-run GambetDC, with odds inferior to its two competitors.
FanDuel D.C., another reputable sportsbook, has launched at Audi Field through a partnership with the MLS team D.C. United.
Things seem a bit complicated at first glance for D.C. sports bettors. But we’ll go through everything you need to know to start betting, including legal restrictions on where exactly you can place a bet, and best sportsbooks promos and codes currently available.
Legal Online Sportsbooks In Washington, DC
It is not anticipated that the Washington, D.C. betting industry will ever reach the level it has in Virginia or will in nearby Maryland, with a dozen or more apps available in both states.
Part of that is simply the size of the market, both in terms of population and the size of the territory. The other part of that is due to the legal restrictions the District places on bets.
Even with these restrictions, though, Washington, D.C. bettors have access to some top-notch betting apps:
- BetMGM Washington, D.C.: Best for Around the Clock Odds
Washington, DC Online Sports Betting Bonuses September 2023
You can legally bet on sports online by using the following apps in the following locations:
- BetMGM D.C. app in Washington Nationals Park or within a two-block radius.
- Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill app at the Capital One Arena or within a two-block radius.
- FanDuel Sportsbook at Audi Field or within a two-block radius.
- GambetDC app, a state-run sportsbook and website available anywhere in the District.
However, as Erika Gonzalez pointed out for News4, GambetDC’s lines are not nearly as profitable as standard lines. Where you might see betting odds set a -110 and a -1.5 spread at BetMGM for an NFL game, GambetDC will list it at -120 with a -2.5 spread. That’s a huge difference in “vig,” or the fee sportsbooks charge for placing a bet.
At the same time, you’ll need to travel to place a bet at BetMGM or Caesars unless you live near Nationals Park or Capital One Arena, respectively. You can bet inside the stadium or within a two-block radius. That can be enough of a barrier to go for the less profitable lines at GambetDC, especially for more casual bettors.
Read more: Best Sports Betting Promotions
BetMGM Washington, D.C.
- Best for Around the Clock Odds
- Can be accessed within a two-block radius of Nationals Park
- Highlights: Competitive odds, exclusive features, tons of bonuses and promos
Visit BetMGM using our exclusive link
The BetMGM online sportsbook features a generous sign-up bonus and many impressive options to bet from and is backed by one of the top gaming companies in the US. BetMGM D.C. partnered with Nationals Park to offer sports betting to those visiting the stadium or accessing the app within a two-block radius.
One of the best offers at BetMGM is the Parlay Plus odds booster, where bettors can increase their parlay profits by up to 40%. And that’s on top of integrated live streaming for select games, “Easy Parlay” builders, and countless ongoing bonuses and odds boosts.
Other Sportsbooks Available In Washington DC
Caesars By William Hill Sportsbook Washington, D.C.
A reliable and recognizable name in the US sports betting industry, Caesars by William Hill Sportsbook offers a solid selection of sports. The sportsbook partnered with Capital One Arena to bring sports betting to DC residents and those visiting the stadium. In fact, it became the first retail sportsbook location to open inside a professional sports stadium in the US.
William Hill was acquired by Caesars in April 2021 and now operates under its new name, Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill. Betting is permitted within a 2 blocks radius of Capital One Arena, but is not permitted at Federal buildings within that radius.
The best part of betting at Caesars Sportsbook is the ability to earn Caesars Rewards points, which can be earned and used at Caesars Entertainment properties like Caesars and the Flamingo Las Vegas as well as Horseshoe, Isle, and Harrah’s locations across the US.
FanDuel Washington, D.C.
FanDuel’s reputation as a top sports betting brand is well-earned, as the platform offers a top-flight user experience. The sportsbook partnered with D.C. United to offer online sports betting and open a retail sportsbook inside Audi Field.
GambetDC
GambetDC is powered by the DC Lottery and unlike BetMGM and Caesars by William Hill, it can be accessed from almost anywhere in the District. However, some areas are restricted, such as at the Washington Monument.
The app is known to offer pretty bad odds and it’s not very user-friendly. Users complain the sign-up process alone is tedious. The one advantage to betting on GambetDC is its accessibility within the district, and that’s where the advantages end.
- Welcome bonus deposit match up to $100 (minimum $10)
What Can You Bet On In DC?
In Washington, D.C., you can bet on professional and college-level sports in the US and overseas. Here are the types of bets you can legally place:
- Straight Bet
- Points Spread
- Over/Under (Totals)
- Futures
- Props
- Parlays
- In-Game/Live Betting
DC-area colleges are fair game for betting. In some states, you can’t bet on in-state colleges, but that’s not the case in the District.
How To Deposit At Washington, D.C.’s Online Sportsbooks
You first need to register for an account. You do not need to be a DC resident to register, but you do need to be at least 21 years old. Your information also has to match your SSN, so make sure you don’t use nicknames or an initial for your last name.
Once you have an account, you can make a deposit using the following methods:
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- ACH/Online Bank Transfer
- Skrill
Skrill is an e-wallet that’s similar to PayPal. Note that uploading to your Skrill account using a credit card will count as a cash advance while depositing directly with a credit card on GambetDC is considered a regular transaction. To load your Skrill account, we recommend a debit card or bank transfer.
DC Online Sports Betting History
The passage of Bill 23-0025, or the Sports Wagering Procurement Practices Reform Exemption Act of 2019, officially legalized online sports betting in the District.
The Office of Lottery and Gaming not only regulates sports betting but also runs the only district-wide online sportsbook.
In August 2020, William Hill (now Caesars) and Capital One Arena announced a partnership. Bettors can wager in-person inside the stadium as well as from their phones within two blocks of the arena. In May 2021, BetMGM launched a partnership with Nationals Park, which resulted in both a mobile app and an in-person betting outlet.
During the summer of 2021, GameBET DC started to operate betting kiosks in retail locations across the District, including at some sports bars and restaurants.
Washington, DC Online Sportsbooks FAQs
18 or 21 is the legal gambling age. For BetMGM, Caesars by William Hill, and FanDuel, you need to be 21 years or older to bet at a Washington, D.C. sportsbook. However, the state-run GambetDC offers sports betting to anyone 18 and up.
In terms of in-person betting at a retail sportsbook, you need to be at least 21. For example, if you bet at Capital One Arena, you’ll be asked for an ID — the same as if you were purchasing alcohol.
Yes. Online sports betting is legal anywhere in DC through the state-run GambetDC app and website. You can also bet online within two blocks of sportsbooks such as Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill at Capital One Arena and BetMGM at Nationals Park.
Skrill or online bank transfer. To receive your winnings from online sports betting in the US, you’ll need to set up a Skrill e-wallet account or choose the direct bank transfer option. For the latter, you’ll just need to log in to your bank account through the ACH tool in the sportsbook app or website.
Net earnings from gambling is subject to income tax. That means you’ll need to pay the tax rate for federal taxes and the district taxes, which are both progressive. Gambling winnings can actually put some people into a higher tax bracket. Consult with a tax professional about tax requirements unique to your yearly winnings.
Gambling in DC is regulated by the DC Lottery Office of Lottery and Gaming. It regulates all Class A and Class B sportsbooks both online and off.
The DC Lottery personally runs the district-wide online sportsbook, GambetDC. Despite being a nonprofit government entity, they have some of the worst sports betting odds in the US.
FanDuel sportsbook has launched at Audi Field (home of D.C. United) in Washington, D.C. and is also accessible within a two-block radius of the arena.
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