Washington, D.C. does not currently offer legal real money online casinos, but players in the District aren’t out of options. For example, sports betting apps are legal, though in a unique fashion that allows betting only within a certain vicinity of sports stadiums. Players can also win cash prizes playing casino games at sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas and Pulsz. The best signup bonuses for sweeps casinos in D.C. are available below, along with the latest on where the District stands on real money online casinos.
Online Casino Gaming for Cash Prizes in Washington, D.C.
As mentioned, social and sweepstakes casinos offer the ability to play slots, blackjack, and more for cash prizes. Games include slots, table games, and more, and these options are fully legal and available in Washington, D.C.
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Gambling is for entertainment purposes only. Stay safe and ensure success when you gamble responsibly. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential support. Visit SAMHSA’s National Helpline website for resources that include treatment center locator, anonymous chat, and more.
How We Rank the Best Washington, D.C. Online Casinos
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Legality
You’ll never see an illegal or offshore casino in our rankings. Our very first step is to ensure we only recommend licensed, regulated, and legal online casino options. In the case of Washington, D.C., and other places that don’t have real money online casinos, we suggest sweepstakes and social casinos. These are legal options that guarantee player safety.
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Security
When ranking the best D.C. online casinos, we take a look at encryption standards and data security to make sure that all of the sites we recommend are safe for players.
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Welcome Bonuses
Once we’ve ensured the online casinos we’re ranking are legal and secure, we begin at their front door—with welcome offers. We look past the big, impressive numbers advertised on banners and dig into the terms and conditions. This research helps us determine the fairness and attainability of these bonuses (playthrough requirements, time limits, and more).
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Bonuses for Existing Players
Bonuses shouldn’t stop after the warm welcome. We rank the best Washington, D.C. online casinos based on the bonuses they offer to existing players as well. We look at the variety of bonus types, the fairness and attainability within the terms and conditions, and the frequency and amount of bonuses offered.
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Game Selection
We gauge the overall variety of game types (slots, table games, etc.) and then dive deeper into each game style. The best online casinos offer a variety of game variations, themes, features, and betting amounts.
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Reputation
Every online casino develops a reputation over time, and we consider that when ranking them. We see if the reputations are positive or negative but also look into why.
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Loyalty & Rewards
Casino rewards programs may not be essential, but we take them into account because of how much they can add to an online casino experience. In fact, some of the best parts of online casinos come from great rewards programs.
Washington, D.C. Online Gambling Snapshot
| Gambling Type | Legal? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| US Online Casinos | NO | Sweepstakes and social casinos only available. |
| Online Lottery | YES | Via Jackpocket app & DC iLottery website |
| Online Sports Betting | YES | Only legal within two-block perimeter of select sports venues. |
| Online Horse Betting | NO | Not currently legal. |
Online Casino Games in Washington, D.C.
Slots in Washington, D.C.
Slots are available in excess at sweepstakes and social casinos. Players can find options for all bet types and will be happy to find a plethora of themes, features, and more. From penny slots to progressive jackpot slots and everything in between, slot options are plentiful in D.C.
Table Games in Washington, D.C.
Table games are also widely available in Washington, D.C. The selections at sweepstakes and social casinos include all of the classics, such as blackjack, roulette, and more. Players will also be happy to find less-popular but still in-demand options, such as baccarat for real money.
More Washington, D.C. Online Casino Games
Of course, players can find classics such as video poker and keno, but there are other options available in the District. Games like Plinko and Dice don’t even exist at retail casinos, but they’re beloved at social casinos.
History of Gambling in Washington, D.C.
With no land-based casinos and no online gambling outside of location-limited sports betting and online lottery, gambling in Washington, D.C. is very modest. In fact, the earliest legal form of gambling in D.C. came with the launch of the D.C. Lottery in 1982.
More recently, the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 went into effect in May 2019. This legalized online sports betting from major sportsbooks within a few blocks of sports stadiums.
Beyond that, there has been no further progress on gambling in Washington, D.C.
Retail Casinos in Washington, D.C.
There are currently no retail land-based casinos located in Washington, D.C. However, there are land-based casinos in nearby Maryland, such as MGM National Harbor.
Washington, D.C. Online Casinos – Bottom Line
All in all, there’s not much to discuss in terms of Washington, D.C. online casinos. However, the availability of sweepstakes and social casinos, plus legal (albeit limited) sports betting, leaves D.C. players with some nice options. As for the legalization of real money online casinos, there has been no progress, but with the recent movement and momentum created by sports betting, it is certainly a future possibility.
More Resources for Washington, D.C. Online Gamblers
DC Lottery
National Council on Problem Gambling (District of Columbia)
Online Casinos in Neighboring States
Washington, D.C. Online Casinos FAQ
No. Real money online casinos are currently illegal in Washington, D.C. However, sweepstakes and social casinos are legal in the state and offer the ability to play casino-style games to redeem cash prizes.
Yes. Online sports betting is legal within a two-block radius of select sports venues. Real money online casino gambling is currently illegal, as is online poker and horse betting.
No. DraftKings is currently not legal in DC for sports betting or online casino gambling.
No. Washington, D.C. does not currently have any land-based or online casinos.
Yes. FanDuel is available for sports betting in Washington, D.C., through a partnership with Audi Field.
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