The Washington, D.C., sports betting market is live, with five apps currently available district-wide. Retail sportsbooks are also sprinkled throughout D.C., mostly at sports venues.
Gambling in Washington, D.C., is unlike any other region in the United States. Some DC sports betting apps were previously only permitted within a short distance of professional sports facilities. That changed when the D.C. Council approved its FY2025 budget, which included a provision to open up the digital sports betting market. This allowed Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, and Fanatics to join FanDuel in the DC betting market.
Find out all you need to know about the best DC sports betting apps available to bettors in the nation’s capital.
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The D.C. Council’s decision to expand the realm of sports betting in D.C. means that there are now multiple options district-wide for bettors to choose from. With Caeasars, BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel now live, we break down what you need to know about each of the best sports betting apps in D.C.
BetMGM Sportsbook is now available across Washington, D.C. It was previously accessible within only a two-block radius of the sportsbook’s location at Nationals Park. BetMGM will retain exclusivity for the two-block radius surrounding Nationals Park, where it operates the BetMGM Sportsbook, as part of a multi-year partnership with the Washington Nationals.
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Fanatics launched in the district on Sept. 12, 2024 and is the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Washington Spirit, the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. The deal gives the Fanatics Sportsbook the right to launch its online sports betting platform across D.C.
Fanatics is the rebranded PointsBet app, and its design, speed, and quality of navigation experience rival those of some of the top sports betting apps in the market today. The app was one of the first to use BetVision, a live sports betting product that enables customers to place bets while live streaming select professional football games directly within the sportsbook app.
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The DraftKings app is one of the industry’s top sportsbooks and it’s also now live district wide in D.C. Give it a shot and you’ll find a fantastic mobile app with arguably the best odds and market depth in the industry, even for relatively niche sporting events.
This app also provides daily fantasy sports access and live streaming, plus special “mobile-only” betting pools and app users have exclusive access to. The mobile app is the best way to experience DraftKings sports betting by far.
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Caesars Sportsbook is a well-known brand for those sports fans 21 and older. The Caesars Sportsbook app is now available across Washington, D.C. district-wide, except for on federal lands and designated areas surrounding other professional sports venues. Caesars Sportsbook has offered in-person sports betting at Capital One Arena since 2021 through its partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Caesars was the first sportsbook in a U.S. professional sports venue when it opened at Capital One Arena
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Thanks to the D.C. Council’s approval of its FY2025 budget that included a provision to open the digital sports betting market, there are now multiple sportsbooks in Washington DC.
FanDuel previously had a monopoly on citywide sports betting with all other apps limited to sports stadiums and their direct vicinity. As of July 17, 2024, both BetMGM and Caesars launched district-wide. BetMGM will retain exclusivity for the two-block radius surrounding Nationals Park where it operates the BetMGM Sportsbook.
New BetMGM customers in DC can take advantage of a limited-time sign-up offer of Up to$1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn’t Win. A minimum $10 deposit is required.
DraftKings is offering new users up to $1,200 in bonuses while Fanatics is offering users the chance to Bet and Get up to $1,000 in bonus bets.
Washington, D.C., recently opened up for multiple sports betting operators, including BetMGM, DraftKings, and Caesars. Follow the steps below to learn how to bet on sports in Washington, D.C.
You can bet via FanDuel anywhere in the District except for federal enclaves. You can find a map of exactly where you need to be on the GambetDC website.
Other betting apps, such as Caesars Sportsbook and BetMGM, are now available district-wide. The only restriction with Caesars is it cannot be used on federal lands and designated areas surrounding other professional sports venues. BetMGM also maintains exclusivity for the two-block radius surrounding Nationals Park where it operates the BetMGM Sportsbook.
You do not have to be a resident of Washington, D.C. to place a bet via any of the DC sports betting apps. You have to be physically located in the right spot.
For mobile sports betting, click the “register” or “signup” button to create an account at the sports betting app. You’ll need to provide your basic identifying information, so be sure it matches the info on your ID. This deters fraud and helps to ensure that bettors are over 18 years old.
Then, make a deposit using PayPal, online bank transfer, Skrill, e-check, or prepaid card. Credit card payments are often considered cash advance transactions, which come with fees.
Select the bet you’d like to place, enter the amount of your wager, and submit the pick to the betslip. You can also select and combine multiple bets into a parlay wager to maximize the payout.
The sports fan who wishes to wager in Washington, D.C. can lay their money down in several ways. This section explains the types of bets available from D.C. sportsbook apps and betting sites.
Bet on the winner of a sporting event. The sportsbook will use the American Odds format, which is always tied to $100. For example, a +200 moneyline means your $100 bet will win $200 if the underdog wins. A -200 moneyline means you must bet $200 to win $100 on the favorite.
Want to bet on which team will win the next NBA Finals? Or on how many games the Nationals will win in their next season? That’s where futures bets come in. You can often find betting odds for the next championship in a sport only minutes after the conclusion of the current season.
A player prop is a wager on the performance of a specific athlete. Examples of a player prop with example odds:
A DC sportsbook may list odds for player props for almost any game in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, and so on. The number of player prop markets a sportsbook has is a good way to measure its usefulness.
The parlay bet is popular for its potential big payoff. But winning a parlay is not easy.
A parlay is a group of two or more bets. Each bet is called a “leg,” and the more legs on your parlay, the higher the odds. A parlay with five bets is called a “five-leg parlay,” and so on. Often, parlay odds are in excess of +1000, which means a $100 bet will win you $1,000 or more. Of course, you can wager as little as $5 or $10, if you wish.
A same-game parlay is when each leg (or bet) inside your parlay is associated with one sporting event.
A game prop is a bet on something other than the outcome of a sporting event. For example, which team will score first, or how many three-point shots will be made, or whether a team will hit a grand slam.
Washington, D.C. sportsbooks will offer odds on many game props for almost every event. An NFL game often has dozens of game prop odds, and you’ll find many game props for MLB, NHL, NBA, and college games, too.
Be advised that regulations prohibit bets on college sports teams that are from the District. That means you won’t be able to place a bet on Georgetown or George Washington University, for example.
Bettors in Washington, D.C., have dozens of sports options. Depending on the year, D.C. tends to attract more sports bettors to larger competitions like the Super Bowl or the World Series.
Washington, D.C. is big on its local teams, but the nation’s capital also draws in people from all over the US, making the most popular teams to bet on pretty diverse.
These are the fan-favorite teams in Washington, D.C.
| 🏈 DC Sports Team | League | 🏆 Championship Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | NFL | |
| Washington Nationals | MLB | |
| Washington Wizards | NBA | |
| Washington Capitals | NHL | |
| D.C. United | MLS |
The Washington Commanders’ home stadium is Commanders Field, which is technically in Maryland. So there won’t be a DC sports betting app associated with the team, but you can bet via Maryland sports betting apps.
The Washington Commanders are one of the most popular betting options inside D.C. and in all states with legal sports betting. Not only is the NFL the No. 1 most popular sport for regular-season betting in the US, but Washington also has millions of fans nationwide.
The MLS is getting more popular, and sports betting can only help that trend–especially as FanDuel Sportsbook has opened inside Audi Field, located just 0.2 miles from Nationals Park. The FanDuel app is also available within two blocks of the pitch. While D.C. United did not make the playoffs this year, but bettors in the District can still bet on MLS Cup betting odds for the 2024 season.
Nationals Park has opened a BetMGM Sportsbook, and the BetMGM app will be available within two blocks of the iconic red, white, and blue ballpark. In the meantime, betting on the Washington Nationals remains a favorite pastime.
Capital One Arena is home to the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, and America’s first in-stadium sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook. It’s a sports bettor’s paradise.
The following are the NCAA Division 1 college schools located in Washington, D.C.:
You cannot bet on any DC college teams or on any college games that take place within the district. You can bet on any D1 college sports that take place outside of the district as long as no DC college teams are participating.
This is a common restriction even in states with the most liberal sports betting laws. For example, New Jersey restricts bets on college games taking place in the state and on any in-state schools, regardless of where they’re played.
Essentially, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey have the same restrictions on college sports betting.
Further, you can visit Virginia, Maryland, or any other state with legal sports betting and place bets on Washington, D.C. teams.
You can also bet on D.C.-adjacent teams at sportsbooks inside the district. For example, you can bet on the University of Maryland, Mount St. Mary’s, and Bowie State.
You can bet on domestic and international professional sports in Washington, D.C. That means the following competitions are fair game:
If the DC Lottery allows the wager, it will be available for betting. If not, you can also contact the sportsbook to request the line.
While politics are huge in DC, you cannot wager on US election odds.
Furthermore, Washington, D.C., completely restricts horse racing betting. That means there are no in-district tracks, off-track betting (OTB) facilities, or horse race betting sites.
That said, Washington, D.C., is home to several soccer bars, which air even the earliest European soccer matches. This gives soccer bettors a community outlet for betting on and viewing the games. High-profile MMA and boxing matches are also shown at various bars across town, another opportunity for fighting bettors to create communal atmospheres.
| DC Population | 712,000 |
|---|---|
| Legal Betting Age | 21 |
| Sports Betting Regulator | DC Lottery |
| Online Sportsbooks | ✔️ Yes |
| Retail Sportsbooks | ✔️ Yes |
| College Sports Betting | ⚠️ Only on out-of-district schools |
| Esports Betting | No |
| Tax Rate | 10% |
Washington, D.C., has a different sports betting legal system than other states. For years, GambetDC was the only mobile sportsbook that was legal to operate from anywhere in the District. In the spring of 2024, FanDuel took over that distinction. The other four mobile sportsbooks that operate in D.C. are now available district-wide.
D.C. sports betting laws highlight two different types of licenses. The first is Class A licenses. Class A is designated for the four specific sporting venues. Capital One Arena, Nationals Park, Audi Field, and St. Elizabeth’s East Entertainment and Sports Arena are the four retail spaces that can be awarded the Class A license.
Other businesses in D.C. can apply for Class B licenses. The business can’t be just a sportsbook looking to open its doors. Some examples of participating businesses are restaurants and bars. Class B licensees cannot operate within two blocks of a Class A business.
Washington, D.C., sports betting revenue has remained consistent even though the overall sports betting handle has trended downward since legalization. See our state betting revenue page for additional information.
In 2023, District of Columbia sports betting brought in $154 million in handle and $16.5 million in revenue. The DC Lottery via GambetDC pulled in the most revenue for the year at $6.5 million, while BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park was second with $6.4 million in revenue.
Revenue from D.C. sportsbooks pales in comparison to powerhouses like New Jersey, with its sports betting handle totaling over $11.9 billion in handle and $1 billion in revenue in 2023.
With the sports betting sites available in D.C. beginning to open up, these are the best mobile betting options.
| 📱DC Sportsbook | ✅ Mobile and/or Retail? |
|---|---|
| 📱BetMGM DC | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱Fanatics Sportsbook DC | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱DraftKings DC | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱Caesars DC | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱FanDuel DC | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
Below is a comprehensive list of all retail sportsbooks where you can place in-person bets across the District of Columbia.
| Sportsbook | Address | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park | 1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003 | 11am-12am daily |
 | Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena | 601 F Street, Washington DC DC 20004 | 10am-12am daily |
 | FanDuel at Audi Field | 100 Potomac Ave SW Washington, DC 20024 | 12pm-10pm daily |
 | GambetDC | Anywhere with DC Lottery | 24/7 |
 | Grand Central Sportsbook DC | 2447 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 | 11am-2am Sunday through Thursday; 11am-3am Friday and Saturday |
Sports betting in Maryland became legal in May 2021 and fully launched in November 2022. Maryland has had success with sports betting so far, proving it can secure tax revenue that DC is missing out.
Retail sportsbooks are available in Maryland. The biggest pullaway from DC sports betting is the BetMGM Sportsbook, directly across the Potomac River in National Harbor. The BetMGM Sportsbook is so close to D.C. that visitors can see the famous monuments from the rooftop.
Like the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia launched online sportsbooks despite having no local casinos. But unlike D.C., Virginia sports betting apps are commercial operators.
That means more accessibility, better odds, and more promotional offers. There are more than a dozen sportsbook apps available in Virginia.
Most crucially, sports betting apps and online sportsbooks are available throughout Virginia without the geographic restrictions found in the District of Columbia.
Virginia restricts college betting, though, prohibiting bets on in-state teams. If Virginia Tech fans want to bet on the Hokies or University of Virginia fans want to bet on the Cavaliers, they will need to head to D.C. or West Virginia.
In Virginia, you can bet on sports if you are 21, compared to 18 in D.C.
Here is an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the D.C. sports betting industry.
Washington, D.C. bettors have some access to sports betting. Here’s a look at other forms of gambling in the capital city.
| DC Gambling Alternative | Legal? |
|---|---|
| 💰 Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Social Sportsbooks | ✅ Yes |
| 🐎 Horse Racing Betting | ❌ No |
| 💸 Lottery | ✅ Yes |
| 🤑 Online Casinos | ❌ No |
| ♠️ Online Poker | ❌ No |
| 🎮 Esports | ❌ No |
DraftKings, FanDuel, Sleeper, and Underdog Fantasy offer daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests in the District of Columbia. Consumers can register with DFS apps, create an account, and play daily or season-long DFS games. When playing daily fantasy sports games, the experience is much like sports betting. That’s because you can place “wagers” on how a player will perform on a given day, much like a prop bet.
Fliff Social Sportsbook is available for download via Google Play and the Apple App Store in DC. The Rebet app is another social sportsbook where users compete for virtual currency that can be exchanged for prizes.
Horse race betting is not legal in Washington, D.C., which means you’ll need to visit neighboring Maryland or another state to take part in that activity.
The Office of Lottery and Gaming regulates the DC Lottery, which offers daily and weekly match-up-style games. The District of Columbia is part of the Mega Millions and Powerball networks.
There are no online casinos or iGaming in D.C. at this time.
No, you cannot play online poker from within D.C.
The sportsbooks available in D.C. cannot offer odds on esports because that activity is not permitted in the Wagering Catalog by the Office of Lottery and Gaming.
Sports betting and all gambling in DC is regulated by the Office of Lottery and Gaming. That agency issues licenses and also oversees the District lottery and charitable gaming. See our responsible gaming page for more information.
Since DC passed the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018, sports betting in the District of Columbia has been legal. Part of that legislation included requirements for the creation of responsible gaming (RG) programs.
The DC Responsible Gaming section of its website provides RG resources. The District has adopted a three-prong approach to RG: education, regulation, and research.
Yes, betting on sports in Washington, D.C. is legal. Sports betting is available online and at retail locations.
Yes, DraftKings Sportsbook is currently available district wide in D.C. DraftKings DFS is also legal and available.
Yes. FanDuel has replaced GambetDC (as of April 15, 2024) as the primary mobile sportsbook available throughout the District.
No. However, you must be physically located within the District to place wagers. Geolocation software tracks your location for compliance.
Bettors must be 18 years or older. You must be 18 years old to bet online in Washington, D.C. This goes for the FanDuel app, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM DC. The 18 and up age restriction applies to the District’s online and in-person sports betting.
BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, and FanDuel are all sports betting apps that can now be used throughout D.C. Caesars and BetMGM also have retail sportsbooks tied to pro sports facilities.
You can bet on an extensive catalog of sports in D.C. including NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. NASCAR, golf, tennis, soccer, and other sports and leagues are widely available. Betting on D.C. college teams is prohibited.
Yes, it is legal to bet on college sports in Washington, D.C. But it is illegal to bet on any D.C. college teams or on a college game in the District. This does not include college teams in VA and MD.
Offshore sportsbooks are unregulated, and your finances and personal data are not secure with such operations. In short, these sportsbooks are illegal.
You can bet on sports online in D.C. But online casino and online poker are not available.
