
The Washington, D.C., sports betting market continued its transformation with the DraftKings DC launch.
Just a few months ago, the district relied on little-known GambetDC as its citywide online sports betting provider.
Since then:
- FanDuel replaced GambetDC as the DC Lottery’s contracted vendor
- BetMGM went from a two-block zone around Nationals Park to citywide online sports betting coverage
- Caesars also acquired citywide access after previously serving online sports bettors in a two-block zone around Capital One Arena.
Now, DraftKings DC emerges as a major contender in the nation’s capital. It, too, has citywide access to accept D.C. online sports bets.
DraftKings Enters DC with a Sign-Up Offer
The DraftKings DC launch naturally includes an introductory offer for its new customers in the district.
New DraftKings Sportsbook customers who successfully sign up will receive $200 in bonus bets. They will arrive as eight $25 bonus bets on launch day.
Customers will then have seven days to use the bonus amounts. Bettors keep the payout from a winning bet — minus the bonus bet part of the stake. Be sure to review the terms and conditions as part of the sign-up process.
DC United Pact Aids DraftKings DC Launch
DraftKings enters the DC sports betting space by partnering with D.C. United, the city’s Major League Soccer franchise.
Washington, D.C., gives DraftKings its 29th jurisdiction in North America. The company’s North America President, Matt Kalish, said it has been incredible to “see legalized sports betting grow rapidly over the last six years.”
He’s referring to the 2018 US Supreme Court decision to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The decision allowed states — and the district — to pass their own sports betting laws.
“With plans to launch our online sportsbook in D.C., DraftKings looks forward to expanding its presence in more than half the country,” Kalish said. “We would like to thank the D.C. Council for creating a path to bring DraftKings’ top-rated sportsbook to the nation’s capital. Together with D.C. United, we look forward to delivering fans a best-in-class experience through our customer-friendly product.”
City Retooled Sports Betting License Policies
Washington, D.C.’s old sports betting model allowed sports venues to partner with sports betting companies for — essentially — retail sports wagering.
Bettors could wager with BetMGM as long as they were within two blocks of Capital One Arena. Caesars customers could bet in person or use the Caesars app as long as they were within two blocks of Nationals Park.
GambetDC operated online sports betting districtwide through its partnership with the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming. FanDuel took over as the lottery’s vendor on April 15, so, for a time, FD had the citywide market cornered.
The Washington, D.C. City Council scrapped the model as part of the FY25 budget, however. Now, sportsbooks can be tethered to the district’s pro franchises instead of their venues. Under the new licensing format, they also gain citywide access.
The new budget also allowed DraftKings DC to pair with D.C. United for access in the district. Danita Johnson is President of Business Operations for the MLS franchise.
“With the D.C. Council’s recent decision to expand the world of sports betting in D.C., we look forward to working with DraftKings to introduce their online sportsbook as another way for D.C. residents to bet in the city,” she said. “Our goal is to always make every fan experience seamless, and this platform will help us to deliver on that promise.”