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
- Northwest Stadium retail sportsbook — 5,000 sq ft
theScore Bet
Content Integration- Launched DC Jan 21, 2025 (as ESPN BET)
- Rebranded to theScore Bet May 2020
- PENN Sports Interactive
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 $250 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins | $5 |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Plus 3 months NBA League Pass | $5 |
| BetMGM | First Bet Offer up to $1,500 | Back in bonus bets if first bet loses | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boosts | Profit boost tokens | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 10 × 100% Profit Boost Tokens | FanCash redeemable for merch | $5 |
| theScore Bet | Bet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets | Rebranded from ESPN BET Dec 2025 | $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.
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. DC was briefly the only jurisdiction with a no-bid monopoly contract for mobile operation.
📋 Three License Classes
Class A: Retail sportsbooks at pro venues (Capital One Arena, Nationals Park, Audi Field, Northwest Stadium). Class B: Small businesses, must be 2+ blocks from Class A venues. 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.
📍 Four Major 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). Fanatics at Northwest Stadium (Commanders — 5,000 sq ft, 38 HD TVs, 18 kiosks). Caesars also operates 48 self-serve kiosks citywide.
Key Timeline
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.