In May 2019, sports betting officially became legal in Washington DC. The first online sportsbook went live here in June 2020 and there are now three sports betting operators located in the nation’s capital. This Betting Hero guide will highlight these Washington DC sports betting apps, explaining which sign-up promos they are offering.
Both retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks are able to legally operate in Washington DC. This sports betting market is one of the most unusual in the country, with laws that limit certain betting operators to specific areas of the city. Despite those unusual laws, Washington DC has managed to earn a huge amount of tax revenue from this industry each month.
Each of the sports betting platforms in Washington DC has gained a large user base. It’s here that you can learn about everything these unique online sportsbooks have to offer.
Top Sportsbook Bonuses in District of Columbia
Washington DC is known for having a large, passionate sporting fan base. Prior to welcoming legal sports betting, a huge number of individuals here took part in daily fantasy sports contests. There are now three online sportsbooks here, each of which provides odds on a huge variety of sports.
Only two of the platforms here offering odds on sports online are independently operated. The other, called GambetDC, is run by the DC lottery and has gained a reputation for offering noncompetitive odds and a somewhat outdated design. Learn about the other two betting apps below.
- $20 deposit & bet minimum
- Offer applies to new users only
- Bonus Bets expire in 7 days
- $20 Deposit Minimum
- Bonus Bets Expire in 7 days
The Legal Landscape of Sportsbooks in District of Columbia
Prior to 2018, Washington DC had very few legal gambling options. No land-based casinos were operating here and lawmakers showed little interest in expanding this industry. In May 2018, the US Supreme Court removed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and several lawmakers in Washington DC immediately began pushing to legalize sports betting.
In September 2018, DC Councilmember Jack Evans presented the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act. This bill aimed to make both retail and online sports betting legal in the nation’s capital. It gained approval across various regulatory bodies and was eventually signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in January 2019.
After gaining approval at the federal level in May 2019, sports betting was officially made legal in Washington DC. Various delays prevented any sportsbooks from launching in the capital that year.
It was not until May 2020 that any sports betting platform launched in Washington DC. The first to go live here was GambetDC, a sports betting platform run directly by the Washington DC Lottery. Over the next few years, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook also began operating in the state. FanDuel Sportsbook operates a retail sportsbook in the city and continues working to launch its online sportsbook here, too.
The sports betting laws in DC are incredibly unique. Online sportsbooks can only operate within two blocks of their retail operations in the city. These areas are called Entertainment Sports Gambling Restriction Zones. That means that those interested in placing online sports wagers will need to ensure they are located in an area of the city where the sportsbook can be accessed.
The aforementioned Washington DC lottery is responsible for regulating sports betting in the capital. This regulatory group also grants sports betting licenses. In order to gain a DC sports betting license, operators have to pay a fee of $500,000. Betting licenses here are valid for five years.
In Washington DC, retail and online sports betting operators are taxed at 10% of gross gaming revenue. Discussions to change this tax rate have been ongoing, yet an agreement on this subject has not yet been made.
Due to the unusual regulations, sports betting revenue in Washington DC has fallen far behind other nearby states’ earnings. Some experts predict that lawmakers will choose to expand the sports betting laws here to boost tax revenue over the next few years.
District of Columbia Sportsbooks Regulations - What You Can and Can't Bet On
Washington DC sports betting law allows for wagering on nearly all professional sporting events. In order to be wagered on, however, these sporting events need to be directly regulated by an accredited sports commission. All of the DC sports betting sites operating in 2023 need to ensure odds are only offered on regulated professional sporting events.
There are a huge number of sports fans in Washington DC. These fans have access to three online sportsbooks, each of which provides odds on nearly all major professional sports. Below is a look at some of the most popular sports to bet on here.
What You Can Bet On:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Soccer
- Boxing
- Ice Hockey
What You Can NOT Bet On:
- The sports betting regulations in Washington DC do not necessarily focus on specific wagering requirements. Instead, lawmakers have focused on ensuring that online sportsbooks only operate within certain areas of the city. Most forms of sports betting remain perfectly legal here.
Sports Betting Updates in District of Columbia
The history of sports betting in Washington DC is certainly unique. There were many steps that had to be taken in order for sports gambling to become legal in the nation’s capital. Learn about some of the most important events in Washington DC’s sports betting industry below.
Sports Teams Sportsbooks Residents Can Bet On
Being the nation’s capital, it should be no surprise to learn that Washington DC is home to several professional sports teams. There is a massive sports culture in the city and several of the teams here have found some major success over the years. That includes teams across football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey.
All of the legalized sports betting apps in DC provide odds on these sports teams. Discover more about these teams and their accomplishments here.
Washington Capitals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
Washington Wizards
District of Columbia Sportsbooks FAQ
- Is online sports betting legal in Washington DC? Yes. The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 was approved in May of 2019 and officially made sports betting legal in Washington DC. It was not until 2020 that the first sportsbooks went live in this city. There are now three online sportsbooks in Washington DC and another that could launch here within the next few years.
- What sports betting apps are legal in DC? There are three sports betting apps operating in Washington DC. That includes GambetDC, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM Sportsbook. The sports betting laws in DC mandate that these betting apps can only be accessed within two blocks of their retail sportsbook locations within the city.
- Can I use BetMGM in Washington DC? Yes. BetMGM launched in Washington DC in June of 2021. Today, it is the most popular online sportsbook in DC. BetMGM is known for having an excellent design and one of the best rewards programs of any betting app in 2023. In order to use BetMGM in Washington DC, bettors must be located within two blocks of the Nationals Park.
- Can I use Caesars Sportsbook in Washington DC? Yes. Caesars Sportsbook went live in Washington DC in December of 2020. It was originally launched as William Hill Sportsbook before a rebranding in mid-2021. Caesars Sportsbook is extremely popular in Washington DC and is known for offering a huge variety of odds and a fantastic loyalty program offering numerous perks to bettors. Those looking to access the online Caesars Sportsbook must be located within two blocks of the Caesars DC retail sportsbook at the Capital One Arena.
- Can I use FanDuel in Washington DC? FanDuel currently operates one retail sportsbook in Washington DC. This sportsbook is located at Audi Field. The FanDuel online sportsbook is not currently available in Washington DC. That could change in the next few years.
- Is college sports betting legal in DC? Yes. College sports betting is legal in Washington DC. Bettors here are able to legally place bets on any collegiate sports team based outside the DC borders. It is not legal to bet on any college sports teams based within the Washington DC area.
- What is the best DC sports betting app? Each of the online sports betting apps in Washington DC is great. Many consider BetMGM to be the best one currently available to DC bettors. This online sportsbook has a very intuitive design, provides odds on a huge variety of betting markets, and offers members one of the best rewards programs of any betting platform in 2023.
Responsible Gambling in District of Columbia
Washington DC bettors can find resources on responsible gambling linked below:
https://www.ncpgambling.org/state/district-of-columbia/