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Washington, D.C. Sports Betting
Washington, D.C. boasts one of the nation's wildest early sports wagering histories, but the nation's capital has finally settled on a system that offers a dynamic array of options to bettors.
Offers
Disclaimer: For those outside of Washington, D.C., you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
About Sports Betting in Washington, D.C.
The short history of sports betting in the nation's capital has been one of America's most eventful. The District started out with an exclusive mobile provider, GambetDC, which, in its five years of operation, managed to infuriate virtually every constituency imaginable, from bettors to politicians, before it was replaced by FanDuel and, eventually, an open market of four additional platforms.
While brick-and-mortar sportsbooks can be found at the District's pro sports venues, they can also be legally located at virtually any mom-and-pop business that wants one – including the Cloakroom, a gentlemen's club that features poles used for something other than vaulting.
Ultimately, D.C. now has a fairly dynamic sports betting ecosystem, be it placing online wagers, taking advantage of dozens of self-serve kiosks downtown, or getting some action down between innings, halves, or dances.
D.C. Sportsbooks
Currently Operating Sportsbooks
Current Sportsbooks
5Licenses Allowed
100
Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Mobile Sportsbook
Audi Field: 100 Potomac Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024
Mobile Sportsbook
Nationals Park: 1500 S Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003
Sports Betting Legalization in Washington, D.C.
D.C. Sports Betting Law Highlights
- Pro sports teams partner with commercial operators to offer sports betting, while virtually any business can apply to operate an on-site sportsbook.
- Operator revenue taxed between 10 and 30 percent based on class of license, with all proceeds going to the District's general fund.
- No betting on federal grounds like the Capitol Building, National Mall, or White House.
- Pro sports venues are awarded Class A licenses, while Class B licenses are available to small businesses and Class C licenses encompass mobile partners.
- 18+ age requirement, which differs from the 21+ standard in most jurisdictions.
- No betting on college athletes or teams based in D.C. or on college sporting events that take place within the District.
Legalization Timeline
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Mayor Muriel Bowser signs sports betting into law
January 23, 2019
Bill 22-944 is signed into law by Mayor Muriel Bowser, thus legalizing sports betting in Washington, D.C. Since D.C. is not a state, Congress has 60 days to veto the bill.
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Sports betting law goes into effect
May 3, 2019
Congress declines to intervene, thus allowing Bill 22-944 to take effect. GambetDC, operated by Intralot and contracted by the D.C. Lottery, becomes the sole citywide mobile platform.
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William Hill opens first retail sportsbook in pro sports venue
May 26, 2021
William Hill, which would soon rebrand to Caesars, opens a retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena, which becomes the first pro sporting venue to feature a sportsbook. Bettors within a two-block radius of the arena are able to wager using Caesars's mobile app, but GambetDC remains the only citywide option for online sports bettors – for now.
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FanDuel takes over as citywide mobile operator
March 11, 2024
FanDuel takes over the contract as the city's lone mobile operator, taking the reins from the much-maligned GambetDC, which was universally denounced as perhaps the worst sports betting platform in the United States. Later in the year, the city would vote to expand D.C.'s sports betting market to multiple mobile platforms.
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Caesars activates retail kiosks around the city
November 19, 2024
After being selected as the city's retail kiosk provider, Caesars activates 48 self-serve betting terminals at various locations around D.C.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Washington, D.C.?
Sports betting in Washington, D.C. has been legal since 2019 and has since expanded in a customer-friendly manner to include more operators and options.
Who can bet on sports in Washington, D.C.?
Anyone who is at least 18 years of age and physically present in the boundaries of the nation's capital can bet on sports, with one caveat: Betting is prohibited on federal lands like the White House, National Mall, the Capitol building, and congressional office buildings.
Who regulates sports betting in Washington, D.C.?
The Office of Lottery and Gaming regulates sports wagering in Washington, D.C.
What can I bet on in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C.'s mobile betting platforms offer a wide variety of sports to bet on, including. Australian Rules Football, baseball, basketball, boxing, cricket, cycling, darts, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, rugby, soccer, softball, and tennis.
What can't I bet on in Washington, D.C.?
It is not legal to bet on athletic events involving colleges based in Washington, D.C., nor is it permissible to bet on college sporting events that take place in the nation's capital.
Is DFS legal in Washington, D.C.?
There is no law explicitly banning or permitting daily fantasy sports contests in Washington, D.C., and major DFS operators like DraftKings and FanDuel have seen fit to offer this form of gaming there.
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Responsible Gambling
21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.