Washington DC Sports
Betting
Sports betting is live in the District of Columbia. Compare all 6 citywide sportsbooks, claim the best bonuses, and start betting responsibly.
Best Washington DC Sportsbooks
All six citywide online sportsbooks operating in Washington DC, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) and fully legal for anyone 18+ within district lines.
FanDuel
Market Leader- Replaced GambetDC as DC citywide operator (Apr 15, 2024)
- Partner of DC United
- Audi Field retail sportsbook
DraftKings
Overall Experience- Launched DC July 25, 2024
- Dynasty Rewards tiered loyalty
- Largest DFS crossover user base
BetMGM
Highest Bonus- Nationals Park retail sportsbook
- 4,000 sq ft with 17 betting kiosks
- MGM Rewards program
Caesars Sportsbook
Retail Partner- Capital One Arena retail (first in US pro venue)
- Wizards, Capitals, Mystics partner
- 48 self-serve kiosks citywide
Fanatics Sportsbook
Retail Partner- Launched DC Sept 12, 2024
- Washington Spirit (NWSL) partnership
- Mobile-only in DC; retail at Northwest Stadium (Landover, MD)
theScore Bet
Content Integration- Launched DC Jan 21, 2025 (as ESPN BET)
- Integrated with theScore sports news app
- PENN Sports Interactive operator
Welcome Bonus Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Washington DC bettors. All bonuses are subject to terms and conditions; always read the fine print before claiming.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Condition | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · NBA Finals + MLB regular-season focus · valid through June 30, 2026 | $5 |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Instantly + 20% deposit match up to $1,000 secondary · valid through July 1, 2026 | $5 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 First Bet Refund | Stake refunded as bonus bets if first bet loses · DC retains $1,500 legacy tier · valid through July 31, 2026 | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 10× 100% Profit Boost Tokens | $1 qualifying bet · $25 max stake each · valid through Aug 18, 2026 | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 10× $100 Bet Matches over 10 Days | Up to $1,000 total in FanCash · auto-applied, no code · valid through July 4, 2026 | $5 |
| theScore Bet | Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · rebranded from ESPN BET Dec 2025 · PENN Play loyalty · valid through July 31, 2026 | $10 |
💡 Smart Bonus Tips for Washington DC Bettors
How to Start Betting in Washington DC
From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here's exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the District of Columbia.
Choose a Sportsbook
Pick a licensed Washington DC sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG).
Create Your Account
Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you're in Washington DC.
Claim Your Bonus
Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers; compare before committing.
Fund & Start Betting
Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.
Popular Bet Types Explained
Moneyline
The simplest bet; pick the winner. Odds like -150 (favorite) or +130 (underdog) indicate how much you win relative to your stake.
Point Spread
Bet on the margin of victory. If the Commanders are -6.5, they must win by 7+ points for your bet to pay out.
Over/Under (Totals)
Wager on whether the combined score will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook. Available for most major sports.
Parlays
Combine multiple bets into one for higher payouts. All selections must win; higher risk, higher reward.
Props
Bet on specific outcomes within a game, like a player's total passing yards or first touchdown scorer. Note: college player props restricted for in-state teams.
Futures
Long-term bets on season outcomes; Super Bowl winner, MVP award, division champions. Placed weeks or months in advance.
Live / In-Game
Bet while the action unfolds. Lines shift in real-time based on game events; fast-paced and exciting.
Same-Game Parlays
Combine multiple props and outcomes from a single game. Example: Commanders to win + Jayden Daniels 250+ yards + Over 45.5 total.
What Can You Bet On?
Washington DC sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports. Here's what's available to bet on right now.
NFL
Washington Commanders, Super Bowl futures, player props, live in-game betting
MLB
Washington Nationals (2019 World Series champs), run lines, player props, World Series futures
NBA
Washington Wizards, player props, spreads, totals, MVP futures
NHL
Washington Capitals; Ovechkin all-time goals leader; puck lines, goalie props, Stanley Cup futures
College Sports
NOT allowed on DC-based teams (Georgetown, Howard, GW, American). Out-of-DC college bets fully available
Soccer / MLS
DC United, Washington Spirit (NWSL), Premier League, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Champions League
Golf
PGA Tour, LIV Golf, The Masters, head-to-head matchups, outright winners
UFC / MMA
Capital One Arena UFC events, title fights, method of victory, round betting
FIFA World Cup 2026 & DC Sports Betting
While DC is not a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the metro region is well-served with the final happening at MetLife Stadium (just up the Amtrak corridor). DC bettors will have full access to World Cup odds, match betting, player props, and tournament futures across every licensed sportsbook. Expect massive handle on the final and on DC United-affiliated USMNT players.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Washington DC
DFS sits in a legal gray area in DC; the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act doesn't address it, but every major operator serves DC residents and the OLG has not moved against them. Pick'em-style apps and traditional salary-cap contests are both available to anyone 18+.
🎯 PrizePicks
Pick'em-style fantasy contests. Choose 2-6 player projections to go over or under, with payouts up to 100x. Entries from $5. The most popular DFS app in DC by active user count.
🏆 DraftKings DFS
Salary-cap contests for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, MLS, and college sports. GPP tournaments, cash games, and head-to-head formats. Shares a wallet with the DraftKings sportsbook account.
👑 FanDuel DFS
Same operator as DC's leading sportsbook. Salary-cap contests across every major sport plus single-game showdowns. Single-wallet integration with FanDuel Sportsbook DC.
📊 DraftKings Pick6
DraftKings's pick'em product, launched in 2024. Pick 2-6 player props and hit them all to win up to 35x. Direct competitor to PrizePicks with similar mechanics.
⚡ ParlayPlay
Pick'em DFS with insurance options; get a partial refund if one selection misses. Smaller user base but aggressive promo offers for new entries.
🚀 Boom Fantasy
Live-action DFS focused on quick-hit prop contests. Entries from $1. Available to DC residents 18+ alongside the major operators.
How DFS Differs From DC Sports Betting
DFS contests pay based on aggregate player performance against a salary cap or a set of projections; not on the win/loss outcome of a game. That's the legal distinction that lets DFS operate where sports betting can't, and it's why DFS apps don't enforce a DC-specific geofence the way licensed sportsbooks do. You must still be 18+ to play, and your earnings are taxable as regular income.
Other Forms of Gambling in DC
Sports wagering is just one slice of legal gambling in the District. Here's the rest of the landscape; what's allowed, what isn't, and where to go for the rest.
🎰 DC iLottery (Legal)
Launched in early 2021 by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming, DCiLottery.com offers Powerball, Mega Millions, instant-win games, DC Keno, and local DC-2/3/4/5 draws. Age 18+. Mobile and web access; entirely separate from sports betting accounts.
🎲 Online Casino (Illegal)
Online slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker are NOT legal in DC. No iCasino legislation has been introduced and no operators are licensed. Offshore sites are unregulated and unsafe; DC residents have no legal recourse if accounts are frozen or winnings withheld.
🐎 Horse Racing (Illegal in DC)
DC has no racetracks, off-track betting parlors, or licensed advance-deposit wagering (ADW) sites. TVG and TwinSpires both block DC residents. The closest active track is Laurel Park (Laurel, MD; about 40 minutes from downtown DC) which runs Sunday through Thursday.
🃏 Casino Gambling (Illegal in DC)
DC has no commercial casinos and no card rooms. Charitable bingo and raffle gaming are permitted under specific licensing rules. For a full casino experience, the nearest options are all in Maryland; see below.
Nearby Casino & Sportsbook Alternatives
If you live in the DC metro and want options beyond DC's sports betting market: MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill, MD; ~30 min) for a retail sportsbook plus a full casino floor; Live! Casino & Hotel (Hanover, MD; ~1 hour) and Horseshoe Baltimore (~1 hour) for full Maryland casino experiences; and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town (Charles Town, WV; ~75 min) for West Virginia sports betting and table games. Northwest Stadium (Landover, MD) hosts a Fanatics retail sportsbook tied to the Commanders. Both Maryland and Virginia run full mobile sportsbook markets; cross the line and you can also bet legally on FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and others under those states' licenses.
Washington DC Sports Betting Laws
📜 Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018
The DC Council passed Bill 22-944 (Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018) in December 2018. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed it into law in January 2019, and Congress declined to veto during the required 60-day review. Online wagering launched in May 2020 via GambetDC. A 2024 budget amendment opened up to 7 citywide Class C licenses.
🏛️ Regulatory Oversight
The DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) oversees all sports betting in the District. The OLG issues licenses, enforces compliance, audits platform technology, and publishes revenue reports. From 2020-2024, the OLG also directly operated GambetDC through a controversial Intralot contract before FanDuel replaced it.
💰 Tax Structure
DC sports betting operators are taxed at 10-30% of gross gaming revenue depending on license class. All tax revenue flows to the District general fund; unlike most states there is no specific carve-out for education. The original GambetDC monopoly was projected to deliver $17M annually but generated only ~$263K in its first four months (May–Aug 2020), prompting the 2024 reform that opened the citywide market.
📋 Three License Classes
Class A: Retail sportsbooks at pro venues; $250,000 fee for a 5-year license (Capital One Arena, Nationals Park, Audi Field). Class B: Bars, restaurants, and small venues; $50,000 fee for 5 years; must be 2+ blocks from any Class A venue. Class C: Citywide mobile apps, cap of 7 operators. As of 2026: 6 Class C operators are live, one more license available.
🎓 College Betting Restrictions
Betting on DC-based college teams (Georgetown, Howard, George Washington, American, Catholic, UDC) is PROHIBITED. Betting on any college event taking place in DC is also banned, regardless of team location. Out-of-DC college bets are fully available. No political event wagering either; DC is the seat of the US federal government.
📍 Three Major In-DC Retail Sportsbooks
Caesars at Capital One Arena (first retail sportsbook at a US pro sports venue, 2020). BetMGM at Nationals Park (4,000 sq ft, 17 kiosks). FanDuel at Audi Field (DC United, 2,550 sq ft, 18 kiosks). Caesars also operates ~50 self-serve kiosks citywide at participating bars, restaurants, and convenience stores. Fanatics holds a Class C citywide mobile license but its retail location is at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD.
Key Timeline
Responsible Gaming Resources
Sports betting should be fun and recreational. If wagering stops feeling that way; or if you're worried about a friend or family member; these DC and national resources are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
📞 24/7 Helplines
National Council on Problem Gambling: 1-800-522-4700; call or text, 24/7, free and confidential.
1-800-GAMBLER: 1-800-426-2537; also operated by NCPG, with state-specific routing for DC callers.
🚫 OLG Self-Exclusion Program
The DC Office of Lottery and Gaming runs a single-request self-exclusion program that covers ALL legal gambling in DC at once: every licensed sportsbook (mobile and retail), every Caesars kiosk, and DC iLottery. Choose a duration of 18 months, 5 years, or lifetime. Enroll through dclottery.com.
📋 Self-Assessment Tools
The DC Lottery's Play Responsibly hub includes a free self-assessment quiz to help you evaluate your gambling behavior. Every licensed sportsbook app also includes deposit limits, wagering limits, and time-out tools.
👥 Treatment & Peer Support
NCPG maintains a national directory of certified gambling-disorder counselors who serve the DC metro. Gamblers Anonymous hosts in-person and virtual meetings throughout DC, MD, and VA; find a meeting at gamblersanonymous.org.
In-App Safety Tools
Every licensed DC sportsbook is required to offer deposit limits, wagering limits, session time limits, and a cool-off (time-out) feature inside the app; usually under "Responsible Gaming" or "Account Settings." Set them BEFORE you start betting, not after. You must be 18+ to register, and operators are legally barred from marketing to anyone on the OLG self-exclusion list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Washington DC?
Yes. DC legalized sports betting in December 2018 when the DC Council passed Bill 22-944 (Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018). Mayor Muriel Bowser signed it into law in January 2019, and Congress declined to veto it during the required 60-day review, allowing the bill to become law in May 2019. Online wagering launched in May 2020 via GambetDC, with the market expanding to 6 citywide sportsbooks since 2024.
How many sportsbooks are in DC?
As of April 2026, DC has 6 active citywide online sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and theScore Bet (formerly ESPN BET). DC law allows up to 7 Class C citywide licenses, meaning one more operator could still enter the market.
How old do I have to be to bet in DC?
You must be 18 or older to place sports bets in Washington DC. This is different from most US jurisdictions which require 21. DC's 18+ age applies to both retail and online betting. Geolocation technology verifies you are physically within DC before every wager.
Can I bet on Georgetown and other DC colleges?
No. DC prohibits betting on any DC-based college teams (Georgetown, Howard, George Washington, American, Catholic, UDC) and on any college sporting event taking place within DC, regardless of team location. This restriction includes both game-based and player prop markets. Out-of-DC college teams (playing outside DC) are fully available for betting.
What is GambetDC and what happened to it?
GambetDC was the DC Lottery-operated citywide mobile sportsbook that held a monopoly from May 2020 through April 2024. It was widely criticized as one of the worst sports betting platforms in the US. On April 15, 2024, FanDuel replaced GambetDC through a new DC Lottery partnership. GambetDC no longer exists.
What is the tax rate in DC?
DC sports betting operators are taxed at 10-30% of gross gaming revenue (GGR), depending on their license class. All tax revenue flows to the District's general fund. The DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) regulates and collects these taxes.
Can I bet on political events in DC?
No. DC prohibits betting on political events, including elections, legislative votes, and any federal or local government decisions. This reflects DC's role as the seat of the US federal government. Additionally, no betting is permitted on federal grounds including the Capitol, National Mall, White House, or other federal property.
Where are the retail sportsbooks in DC?
DC has four major retail sportsbooks at professional sports venues: Caesars at Capital One Arena (Wizards/Capitals/Mystics; the first retail sportsbook at a US pro sports venue), BetMGM at Nationals Park (Nationals; 4,000 sq ft with 17 betting kiosks), FanDuel at Audi Field (DC United), and Fanatics at Northwest Stadium (Commanders; 5,000 sq ft with 38 HD TVs). Caesars also operates 48 self-serve kiosks citywide.
Who regulates sports betting in DC?
The DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) is the sole regulator of sports betting in the District of Columbia. The OLG issues licenses, enforces compliance, audits operator technology, and publishes revenue reports. The OLG also previously operated GambetDC directly from 2020-2024 before the expansion to multiple private operators.
Did my GambetDC account transfer to FanDuel?
No. GambetDC accounts and balances did NOT transfer when FanDuel replaced the platform on April 15, 2024. Existing GambetDC users had to withdraw any remaining funds before shutdown and create a brand-new FanDuel Sportsbook DC account. If you had a small lingering balance, contact the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) directly.
Can I place bets from outside Washington DC?
No. Every licensed DC sportsbook uses geolocation technology to confirm you are physically inside DC city limits before accepting a wager. You can browse odds, fund your account, and manage your profile from anywhere, but the actual bet placement is blocked outside DC. Crossing into Maryland or Virginia takes you outside the licensed area immediately.
What ID and documents do I need to sign up?
You will need: your full legal name, current DC address, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, and a phone or email for verification. Most operators offer a 30-day grace period before requiring a photo ID upload. Accepted IDs include a US driver's license, state ID, US passport, or DC One Card. All registrations require you to confirm you are 18 or older.
Where in DC can't I place a bet?
Sports wagering is prohibited on all federal property within DC, including the National Mall, Rock Creek Park, East Potomac Park, the White House grounds, the US Capitol, and the congressional office buildings. There is also a two-block exclusion radius around each Class A venue (Capital One Arena, Nationals Park, Audi Field) intended to prevent competition with retail sportsbooks. Geolocation will block the bet if you try.