Washington DC Online Sports Betting Sites and Apps – Is It Legal? Get $5,000+ at Washington DC Sportsbooks

The home of congress and some of the nation’s most influential lawmakers, Washington DC is also one of the best US locations in the US for sports betting. With sports betting now legal and local sportsbooks still developing, there are several reasons why DC residents still turn to Washington DC sports betting sites online.

Best Washington DC Online Sports Betting Sites and Apps

Read on to learn where you can find the best markets, biggest bonuses, and greatest event coverage for sports betting in Washington DC.

Washington D.C Sports Betting at a Glance

Washington DC legalized sports betting both online and retail in the district in 2018 and saw the first retail sportsbook open in 2021.  The current sports betting market in the state is outlined below.

• Legal Sports Betting: In-person (inland), Online (inland and offshore)
• Minimum Sports Betting Age in Washington DC: 21 (inland),18 (through offshore sites)
• Offline Betting in Person: Currently 5 locations
• Online Sportsbooks: Offshore and inland
• Live/In-Play Betting: Offshore and inland
• College Sports Betting: Inland (no betting on instate teams and games played in-state), Offshore (no restrictions)
• Horse racing: Offshore sites only
• Estimated Sports Betting Revenue: To be determined
• Permitted Sports Betting Operators: GambetDC, Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, and BetMGM Sportsbook
• Licensing Fee: Up to $500,000 initial fee, $250,000 5-year renewal fee
• Tax Rate: 10-20%
• Tax Funded: $200,000 to the Department of Behavioral Health for gambling addiction and treatment programs. The remaining amount is split between the Birth-to-Three Amendment Act of 2018 and the Neighbourhood Safety and Engagement Fund.

The Best Washington DC Online Sports Betting Sites and Apps List 2024

Only the very best Washington DC betting sites can make our top list. Below are the 10 leading bookies in DC, offering exceptional value in odds, huge market and event coverage, and provide plenty of exciting bonuses every week.

1. BetOnline – Best Washington DC sports betting site
2. Bovada – Consistent betting lines in DC
3. MyBookie – Most unique Washington DC betting site
4. Everygame – Regular sports special offers
5. Xbet – Top live betting in Washington DC
6. Lucky Block– Excellent for crypto betting
7. BetUS – Best NFL betting in Washington DC
8. BetNow – Top UFC coverage in DC
9. BUSR – Great Bitcoin bonuses in DC
10. Jazz Sports – Great for horse racing

Best Washington DC Sportsbooks Reviewed

We don’t just tell you which Washington DC betting sites are amazing, we’re here to tell you why as well. We’ve reviewed our top 5 selections to help you choose which amazing bookie is perfect for you.

1. BetOnline – Best Washington DC Sports Betting Site

Without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest name in online sports betting in Washington DC is BetOnline. For more than 2 decades, this mighty Washington DC betting platform has remained a market leader in wagering volume and continues to innovate every year.

There are excellent features for kinds of sports punters such as interactive form guides for horse racing, live streaming of multiple events, and a daily odds booster. There is an ever-growing e-sports offering too and you’ll see excellent coverage of the biggest games in the industry such as CS: GO and Dota 2.

You will consistently find BetOnline’s odds across all the sports they have markets on to be some of the best around. They also get their odds up earlier than most other sites meaning you can get your bet’s in early.

Once a game starts BetOnline also offers an intuitive live betting interface where you can even stream some matches. BetOnline also has an app compatible with iOS and Android devices, and it is one of the most complete Washington DC sportsbook sites

On top of their attractive $1,000 welcome bonus, BetOnline promo codes offer up a ton of rewards and bonuses to existing customers. They include risk-free bets, odds boosters, sport reloads plus more. The contests on the site are also unrivaled they have regular competitions as well as contests for special events like the Super Bowl where prizes can be in the hundreds of thousands.

BetOnline leads the way in providing all the important basics with many supported cryptocurrencies, regular sports bonuses, and 24/7 US customer support.

 

2. Bovada – Consistent Betting Lines in DC

For more than 20 years, Bovada has remained a trusted brand for sports betting in Washington DC. This bookie has earned that trust by offering great market coverage across both US and international events and by offering some of the most consistent odds on the market.

For horse racing betting fans, you’ll find some serious value when betting on the outside chances too. Bovada offers prop bets galore across so many US leagues including the NCAA, NFL, and NHL – including spread betting and futures.

The Bovada e-sport range could rival the best bookies in the world with a seriously good range of events including the likes of Overwatch and Valorant. New punters from the District using Bitcoin can grab a great welcome offer of up to $750 when they use the Brovada Promo code, while regular deposits can net you a welcome offer of up to $1,000.

 

3. MyBookie – Most Unique Washington DC Betting Site

Frankly, most sportsbooks can begin to feel the same after a while. Lots of consistent markets and it can be a struggle to find anything dramatically different to bet on. That’s when you turn to MyBookie for your fix of the fun and truly strange. First of all, MyBookie does all the standard things correctly – loads of markets for nearly every sporting event imaginable, but it goes a little further than that.

You’ll get extensive winter sports, surfing, bowling, and WWE wrestling coverage and then there is the special wagers section – within the special wagers, you’ll find bizarre markets like the existence of UFOs, Bigfoot, and whether the Rock will play in the XFL! The e-sports coverage is strong also and League of Legends punters will arguably find the deepest market depth in the US.

With a similar web design to Xbet, MyBookie is an effective live betting platform too. Residents of DC joining MyBookie for the first time can claim up to $1,000 as a welcome offer by using the MyBookie promo code INSIDERS during sign-up.

 

4. Xbet – Top Live Betting in Washington DC

One of the most popular ways to bet on sports in DC is with live betting. The best way to experience live betting is with a fast and responsive betting site that doesn’t distract with unnecessary fluff. Xbet is one of the fastest and stripped-back Washington DC betting sites in the best of ways. Perfectly crafted for in-play betting, you’ll struggle to miss any odds using this fast user interface.

Xbet is also one of the best racebooks on the market with great coverage of both North American races and international events too. You’ll also find daily horse racing rebates too. You’ll find some diverse prop bets at Xbet also – such as being able to bet on the halftime show during the Super Bowl. Security conscience punters can rejoice as this bookie boasts 256-bit SSL encryption and a great range of cryptocurrencies too.

For new punters from DC, you can grab a $500 welcome bonus with the Xbet promo code INSIDEX at sign-up.

 

5. BetUS – Best NFL Betting in Washington DC

Looking to bet on the Commanders? Well, when it comes to NFL betting in Washington DC, you can’t beat BetUS. The BetUS coverage of the NFL each year is truly outstanding – every game has a minimum of 40 prop bets, and we’ve seen them offer hundreds on some games. This Washington DC sports betting site is no slouch for US and international coverage of other sports either.

This is another bookie that takes e-sports seriously too – you’ll find more variety of games than many other competitors such as Tekken, StarCraft II, and Valorant. The BetUS TV platform is another unique addition that provides punters with great insights into their favorite sports with live streaming, match predictions, event previews, and sports analysis.

The BetUS welcome bonus is one of the biggest you’ll find in DC. Up to $3,125 can be claimed by using the BetUS promo code JOIN125.

 

More on gambling in Washington DC…

• Washington DC Real Money Online Casinos

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Washington DC Online Sports Betting Sites Comparison

How do the best Washington DC betting sites stack up? We compare our top bookies on bonuses, markets, payments, and live streaming capabilities.

How We Rank the Best Washington DC Betting Apps & Mobile Sites

We invest a huge amount of time into our reviews of the best Washington DC betting apps. Here’s how we rank them. We want to highlight all of the data to our readers to allow them to make the most informed decisions about where to bet.

Here are our key criteria:

Mobile Betting Experience

In today’s technology-driven world, sports bettors want to have the latest technology at their fingertips. This means that a site that offers mobile must have a mobile sports betting app or site that is easy to navigate and allows the user to get to the market of choice quickly and easily in two to three screen taps at most.

Betting Apps

In Washington DC, we have not found any of the listed bookmakers with a mobile app for download on Android or iOS. We checked with every one of these sportsbooks, and the main reason they do have an app is due to customer security. Players can, however, make use of the mobile version of the site, which is often much easier to navigate than many desktop sites and even dedicated apps.

Mobile Betting Bonuses

Sportsbooks these days are in a highly competitive environment, and this is good news for sports bettors. Sign-up and welcome bonuses are plentiful, ranging from 50% right up to 200% matched deposit bonuses. Many sportsbooks now offer enhanced bonuses for players signing up with cryptocurrencies, too.

Live Mobile Betting & Streaming

Live betting has quickly become a popular way to bet on sports and is something all our recommended bookies have available. Betting in-play allows you to join in on the action, predict how an event will unfold, and place bets based on those predictions. It also lets you reassess pre-existing bets, and if an available option, cash out less favorable bets in favor of those that offer better odds.

BetOnline, one of our recommended bookies, features a wonderfully formatted live betting interface. It lets you quickly locate which matches are live and lets you stream games directly to your iOS or Android device.

Banking Options

Many of our Top 10 Washington DC mobile betting sites have credit cards, cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, and electronic checking as standard banking options. Cryptocurrency is also becoming increasingly popular.

Customer Service

Customer Service was an important factor in our review process. We found the speed and quality were much better compared to some of the larger European sportsbooks. Every live chat we contacted responded in ten seconds or less, and our varied racing and sports wagering questions were answered expertly.

Licensing & Security

All of the sportsbooks we have looked at are offshore books, so they are licensed in the jurisdiction where the company is based. Some are licensed in Curacao, Antigua, and Costa Rica, while others are licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

As with all betting and gaming sites, players are advised to do their own due diligence, but all of the sites listed have long-standing reputations in the online gaming sector.

How to Sign Up for a Washington DC Betting App & Mobile Site

Step 1 – Open the BetOnline Mobile Site

In this example, we are using one of our best betting apps in DC, BetOnline. Open the site on your mobile device using this link and click on “Join.”

Step 2 – Add Personal Details

Complete the relevant personal details, making sure they match your preferred deposit/withdrawal method.

 

Step 3 – Go to the Cashier

You now need to go to the Cashier and choose your deposit method. While this is completely your call, we would suggest using Bitcoin.

 

Step 4 – Enter Promo Code

Once in the Cashier, it’s time to select your welcome bonus by entering the BetOnline promo code in the relevant box.

 

Step 5 – Check Out the Available Sports

You can access the sportsbook instantly through the dashboard at the bottom of the screen. From here, you are able to browse the sports from the menu at the top. Select the sport of your choice to see all of the matches and events you can bet on.

 

Step 6 – Place Your Bets

Once you have decided what you want to bet on, just tap on the relevant odds buttons. Your selections will automatically be added to the bet slip, so all you need to do is add your stake and then click ‘Place Bet.’

 

Is Sports Betting Legal in Washington DC?

In late 2018, the state of Washington voted in favor of DC Law 22-312 and passed DC Act 22-594, which legalized retail and online sports betting for those 18 years of age in the District of Columbia. This opened the door for retail and online bookies to apply for state licenses and, on approval, begin offering legalized betting services.

The District of Columbia Lottery & Charitable Games Control Board is responsible for issuing licenses and, likewise, overseeing and policing Bill 22-994, which was signed into law in the early part of 2019.

GambetDC, run by the D.C. Lottery, is the only licensed mobile betting site available throughout Washington DC. Meanwhile, you can bet on mobile with Caesars and BetMGM but only within a two-block radius of where they’re based (the Capital One Arena and Nationals Park, respectively).

• 2022 – multiple standalone sportsbooks are planned while multiple bars and two stadiums offer a sportsbook for DC residents and guests.
• 2021 – the Capital One Arena sportsbook provided by William Hill launches. Bar-based sportsbooks soon follow.
• 2020 – After several delays, DC Lottery soft-launched its online sports betting platform called Gambet DC.
• 2019 – Act 22-994, as amended by Act 23, is officially signed into law after passing congressional review.
• 2018 – Act 22-994 passes authorizing sports betting of all forms in Washington DC

Gambling Tax in Washington DC

If you win while sports betting in Washington DC, the taxman will be looking for its cut. At most US-based sportsbooks, the operator may do this for you – in the instance, that your winnings are more than $600 and is 300x your stake. The tax rate is 24% which must be withheld for federal taxes, according to the IRS.

Online Washington DC betting sites like Bovada may not help with this as they are licensed abroad and in this case, it is expected that you declare your winnings in your yearly tax forms. It is always best to consult a tax professional before you do anything.

What Sports Can You Bet On in Washington DC?

This question should really be “what can’t you bet on in Washington DC”. Local sportsbooks cover a vast range of US and international sports while offshore betting sites feature almost every professional league and tournament in the world – be it NBA, NFL, NHL or European soccer, Indian cricket, and Australian Rugby. Some Washington DC sports betting sites even have odds for surfing, bowling, and WWE wrestling.

There is currently one NBA team in the state:

• Washington Wizards – Won 1 NBA Championship title in 1978.

Esports Betting in Washington DC

You’ll struggle to find e-sports markets at land-based sportsbooks in Washington DC and Gambet DC doesn’t offer e-sports markets either. However, every Washington DC betting site on our top list offers plenty of e-sports events. You can easily bet on popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, CS: GO, and many others. This is an industry on the rise and new games become popular every year.

Types of Betting Markets

There is much more to sports betting in Washington DC than simply betting on who is going to win. You’ll find a number of different betting markets at online sports betting sites and sportsbooks in DC. With some experience and a good knowledge of a chosen sport, punters can earn some serious profit by looking into more varied markets and bet types.

Betting Types Explained

Bonuses at Washington DC Sportsbooks

All of the best Washington DC sports betting sites offer unique bonuses that range from massive welcome offers to handy reload bonuses and free bets. While every bookie will offer some variety in their promotions, they can all be placed into some common categories.

Matched Deposit

The matched deposit is a very popular bet type offered for sports betting in Washington DC and can be seen in reload bonuses and welcome offers. The welcome bonus is probably the biggest bonus you’ll ever be offered by an online sportsbook. A matched deposit is fairly simple – the bookie will match your deposit to a set amount.

For example, a 100% matched deposit of up to $1,000 would see a $1,000 deposit be matched with an additional $1,000 in bonus funds – that’s $2,000 to play with at a Washington DC Sports betting site. Be sure to be mindful of any rollover requirements.

Free Bets

You’ll see these offers fairly often, especially around major sporting events such as the Super Bowl or NBA playoffs. This offer is a small wager in which the bookie fronts the cost of the stake – typically limited to around $2 – $5. It’ll cost you nothing to place the wager and if the bet wins, you’ll receive the profit minus the stake amount.

There are usually strict requirements for a free bets bonus, such as no Parlays, must be placed on a specific event or sports, and there is usually a maximum odds limitation.

No Deposit

The no deposit bonus can be quite rare these days but does often pop up as either a small free bets bonus – or free spins in the casino section. As it appears on the box, this bonus involves no depositing of funds to claim the bonus – it’s essentially a free bonus. However, there will usually be some rollover requirements to turn any bonus funds into real money.

Cashback/Rebate/Moneyback

Rather than receiving a bonus for depositing funds, this offer is about returning some of a punter’s losses at Washington DC sports betting sites online. Typically offered as a small percent – around 5 – 10% –  of money back for gambling losses, the cashback or rebate offer is often seen as a VIP perk or offered during major events. For horse racing fans, rebates are fairly common and offered almost every week at several leading Washington DC sports betting sites.

Key Bonus Terms

Before claiming any bonus while sports betting in Washington DC – especially a big welcome offer – you should always double-check the bonus terms and conditions. There are some rules that are important to ensure you take home some profit from a bonus offer and they’ll need to be understood to get the most out of any online bonus offering.

• Rollover – the rollover refers to how many times bonus funds must be wagered before it is then considered real money that can be withdrawn. For example, $100 with a 10x rollover would require $1,000 in bonus wagering before you could take home any remaining funds.
• Expiry Date – bonus funds won’t last forever. The length of the expiry date will typically be determined by the size of the bonus and can range between 7 – 3 days. This is how long you’ll have to clear a rollover requirement and keep any bonus funds.
• Minimum Odds – the minimum odds are a requirement on what bets can be placed using bonus funds or a free bet. Generally, it is to prevent punters from dropping funds on overly strong favorites and clearing bonuses too easily.

Grab The Best Promo Codes With Our Reviews

Read Our Sportsbook Payment Guides

Deposit & Withdrawal Methods for Washington DC Online Sports Betting

We are talking about real money sports betting in Washington DC, after all. You’ll need to deposit funds to bet with and withdraw those brilliant winnings when you pick them right. Thankfully, offshore betting sites boast a vast range of payment methods such as cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, bank cards, and wire transfers.

Washington DC Online Sports Betting Apps

Another big advantage of betting online is Washington DC mobile sports betting capabilities. This can be done via optimized mobile betting sites or by downloading a dedicated sports betting app in Washington DC. Available for both iOS and Android devices, all the bookies on our top 10 list feature both mobile apps and mobile-optimized web pages that can be accessed via a number of supported browsers including Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and Safari.

Mobile Site vs App for Betting in Washington DC

As we had covered earlier in our top 10 list, none of the sportsbooks we have covered have a dedicated mobile app. However, all have very good mobile sites that you can add as a shortcut on your phone. Here is what we like and don’t like about mobile sites and dedicated betting apps.

Mobile Site

Mobile App

Washington DC Betting Apps & Mobile Sites for iPhone & Android

Given that over 80% of mobile phones are based on iOS or Android devices, we wanted to look at how the pair compares for sports betting.

DC Sports Betting on Android

If you are an Android user, then having an app does not really make a lot of difference as you can easily add the mobile betting sites to your device homepage, and it will work just like a normal app.

You’ll find that a mobile site has more info while an app will be much more streamlined to focus only on the betting markets and not other information like deposit and withdrawal help and wagering guides.

DC Sports Betting on iPhone

The same can be said for iOS and Apple iPhone users. The sites work very well as a mobile version of the main website, and there are very few differences between both the main site and the mobile version. Apps can differ from mobile sites in that they are stripped down to mainly focus on the sports and betting markets.

How to Create a Betting App for a DC Sportsbook

If you want the functionality of a mobile site but also the ease of use that an app gives you, then we have put together some quick tips on how you can do this. This short step-by-step guide will show you how you can easily add mobile sites in place of DC sports betting apps to your phone’s desktop.

We will be using an iPhone, but the Android process is similar.

Step 1: Visit the Site from your Mobile Phone or Tablet

Open your web browser on your phone and go to an online sportsbook of your choice. If you are using an iPhone, you probably have Safari as the main default browser.

Step 2: Open the Main Menu via the Browser

You will find the menu icon at the bottom of the app/mobile site. Note that we do not mean the main navigation menu on the sportsbook but the web browser menu.

Step 3: Choose Add to Home Screen

The menu will give you a list of options. Tap on the Add to Home Screen link. This will add the mobile betting site to your iPhone screen by adding a shortcut.

Step 4: Name and Move the App

This is your personal choice, and it allows you to manage your new web app on your phone. You can edit and move it to any location on the screen.

Step 5: Start the App by tapping the screen

Now, all you do is tap the screen icon to open the DC mobile sports betting app. It will load the mobile betting site, and you are ready to start placing bets immediately.

Live Betting & Streaming in Washington DC

The best way to enjoy live betting is through a Washington DC betting site that offers live streaming too. Successful live betting requires a punter to be able to watch every second of a game in real-time. While punters can choose to watch a game on TV, at a bar, or at the event itself, the best betting experience will be had by accessing everything on the same platform.

Many Washington DC betting sites offer live streaming, but BetOnline offers some of the best live streaming capabilities and coverage of any bookie in the US.

Learn More About Betting With BBI Guides

How to Compare Washington DC Sportsbooks

It doesn’t take much to determine a really poor and unsafe bookie from a truly exceptional Washington DC online sports betting site. All of the best bookies in our top 10 list exhibit the hallmarks of a great sports betting platform and by using the key factors identified below, you can ensure your chosen bookie is exceptional too.

Key Comparison Factors

• Range of markets – punters need more than just the ability to bet on the winner. Look for as many prop bets as possible and the ability to place interesting wagers like parlays. When NHL betting in Washington DC, you should be able to access more than 50 prop bets for a single game.
• Bonuses – we don’t just mean the welcome bonus when you sign up to a Washington DC sports betting site either. Think about the future. Check out the promo section of a bookie to see what they offer current customers. You’ll want to see reload bonuses, free bets, or cashback on a weekly basis.
• Payment methods – variety is the key here, as your choice of payment method may develop over time. But you also want to consider payment speeds and cost. Try to avoid using payment methods that incur high deposit fees. Most of the best Washington DC betting sites will offer some form of free payment method.
• Live betting & streaming – in-play betting is one of the most exciting ways to gamble and it can be quite lucrative too. Live streaming is the best way to supplement live betting as you can enjoy the action and bet without having to leave the platform. Make sure the live streaming bookie has an easy-to-navigate sportsbook and that it is quite responsive too.
• Licensing & security – this can be too often overlooked. Make sure your chosen Washington DC betting site is licensed. It is a great sign of a safe bookie that is regularly audited for fairness and security features.

Sportsbooks at Washington DC Casinos

With legal sports betting in Washington DC comes plenty of access to sportsbooks within the Capital. In May 2021, William Hill opened a sportsbook at the Capital One Arena – becoming the first professional sports arena in the US to offer a legal sportsbook. Since then, four bars and another professional stadium launched sportsbooks.

However, none of these sportsbooks are located within casino walls because there are none in DC. Due to the size and population density of D.C, it is unlikely we’ll see a casino in the area any time soon.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Washington DC?

Casino gambling isn’t allowed in D.C and residents have been forced to either head to nearby Maryland or use popular offshore online casinos like BetOnline and Bovada. While Washington DC gambling laws do extend to ban online casino gambling, the district appears to merely not recommend playing at offshore online casinos rather than prosecute anyone for doing so.

Attempts have been made in 2010 and 2012 to legalize online gambling in Washington DC but both attempts were quickly repealed.

DFS in Washington DC

With such favorable laws for online sports betting in Washington DC, it should come as little surprise to learn that Daily Fantasy Sports betting is allowed too. Technically, there simply isn’t a law that addresses fantasy sports and it simply seems that the DC council just isn’t interested.

Both DraftKings and FanDuel provide a DFS service to residents of Washington DC and there are a few smaller providers too. Residents of the District can freely build and bet on fantasy rosters and leagues online.

Horse Racing Betting in Washington DC

Again, DC isn’t a big area and has a population higher than that of Wyoming and Vermont. Even if horse racing was legal, you’re not going to get a racetrack built anywhere. Horse racing, like casino gambling, is illegal and you won’t find any Off-Track betting locations in Washington DC.

However, offshore gambling sites like Xbet and BetUS do offer online racebooks covering international and US racing. Legal online horse racing betting in Washington DC is unlikely to happen anytime soon, so for the moment, Washington DC online betting sites are the only viable option.

DC Legislative Resources

For residents of Washington DC interested in finding out more information on current legislation to do with sports betting and gambling in the state or would like to contact local and state representatives to express their opinions or concerns on the subject they can use the links below.

• Council of the District of Columbia

DC Gambling Resources

If you believe that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, then we encourage you to get in contact with the NCPG District of Columbia found at the link below, they can provide advice and local information, and treatment services in your area.

• NCPG Problem Gambling Resources in District of Columbia

Conclusion: Best Washington DC Online Sportsbook

Thanks to legal sports betting, residents and guests in the District of Columbia can enjoy wagering on their favorite sports both online and at excellent land-based sportsbooks. However, the best odds, biggest bonuses, and most extensive coverage can be found at offshore Washington DC betting sites like BetOnline.

Washington DC Sports Betting FAQ

Can you bet in Washington DC?

You most certainly can. Sports betting is legal in DC, but horse racing and casino betting are not.

Can you gamble at 18 in Washington DC?

Yes, the legal gambling age in Washington DC is 18. However, some land-based sportsbooks may require punters to be 21 years old due to liquor license requirements if they serve alcohol.

Is online betting legal in Washington DC?

Yes, online sports betting is. In fact, the DC Lottery even offers its own official sportsbook called GambetDC. However, online casino betting and horse racing betting are currently not allowed in DC.

Does DC have sports betting?

Yes, DC does have sports betting. Bettors can choose to bet on sports online or at a number of sportsbooks located in bars and professional sports arenas like the Capital One Arena.

Can you bet on sports apps in Washington DC?

Yes, you can bet on sports apps in Washington DC if they are located offshore or function under the local legal rules.