Is Sports Betting Legal in washington d.c.?
Yes, sports betting in Washington D.C. is legal. The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 was signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in January of 2019 and went into effect in May of 2019. BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel all offered online sports betting apps in D.C., but currently FanDuel is offline in the area due to an ongoing disagreement with lawmakers. Washington D.C. also has five retail sportsbook locations.
Washington D.C. Quick facts
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Launch Date: May, 2020 -
ImageLegal Betting Age: 18 years old
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ImageOnline Sports Betting: Yes
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ImageOnline Casino Sites: No
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ImageOnline Poker Sites: No
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ImageBest Online Sportsbook: Caesars Sportsbook
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ImageRegulatory Body: DC Office of Lottery and Gaming
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ImageLegal Online Sportsbooks: 3
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ImageCollege Sports Betting: Yes, but wagering on games taking place in D.C. isn't allowed
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ImagePolitical or Entertainment Betting: No
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ImageHigh School Sports Betting: No
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ImageEsports Betting: No
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ImageNFL Draft: Yes
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ImageRemote Registration: Yes
Timeline of betting legislation & latest news
Sports betting in Washington D.C. began in May of 2019 thanks to the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018. It should be no surprise in a place like Washington D.C. that there has already been some legal drama and ongoing discussions about overhauling the current system. Recently, FanDuel threatened to end its agreement with the D.C. Lottery and the issue isn’t resolved, but check back here for updates.
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may 14, 2018
Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sport Protection Act (PASPA), paving the way for legalized sports betting throughout the U.S.
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Jan. 3, 2019
Mayor Muriel Bowser signs the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 (Act 22-594), effective May 3, 2019
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may 3, 2019
Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 goes into effect
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may 28, 2020
Online sports betting launches in D.C.
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may 26, 2021
William Hill opens a retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena (Home of the Washington Capitals), it’s the first sportsbook collaboration with an NHL arena.
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jan. 31, 2022
Bet MGM opens a retail sportsbook at Nationals Park, it’s the first sportsbook connected to a MLB stadium
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March 20, 2024
The Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024 is introduced by D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. The Bill would revamp the sports betting licensing system and allow sports teams and local venues to offer mobile sports betting
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june 17, 2024
FanDuel threatens to end its agreement with the D.C. Lottery because the newly approved state budget included expansion provisions
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july 16, 2024
FanDuel app goes offline in Washington D.C. as the company is in a standoff with lawmakers
How to start betting in washington D.c.
Getting started betting in Washington D.C. is easy since the state allows for remote registration, meaning you can register for a sportsbook and deposit money into an account from your living room. If you’re over 18-years-old and in D.C., you can download your favorite sports betting app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify your identity, and start betting now.
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Select a sportsbook
First, decide which sportsbook you want to use and download that sports betting app on your phone. Some sportsbooks will allow you to get started from their website on a computer as well. With the help of this article, make sure the app you’ve chosen is regulated in your state.
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Create Account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
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Deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
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Choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
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place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
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withdraw funds
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.
Home Field Advantage
It may comprise just 63 miles, but the nation’s capital is more than a political heavyweight—it holds its own in sports, too. Sports roots here run deep, especially when it comes to the NFL, given that the Commanders have been a part of the fiber of the District since their founding in 1937. D.C. is jam-packed with four major professional sports teams and tons of nearby college action, making it a sports betting hub at any time of year.
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ImageNFL – Washington Commanders: Washingtonians once loved this team so much that the waiting list for season tickets stretched on for years, with holders willing those priceless ducats down to their children. A lot has changed—the team moved to Landover, Md., dropped its original name, and saw both attendance and performance fall under the Daniel Snyder regime. But new ownership brings new hope for a franchise that’s won three Super Bowls, and absolutely dominates the D.C. area in terms of betting interest.
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ImageNBA – Washington Wizards: Oh, the Wizards. They won the NBA championship as the Bullets in 1978, and haven’t done much since. Even with an over-the-hill Michael Jordan in the early 2000s, they couldn’t make the playoffs, and they last reached the conference finals in 1979. Yet this is still Washington’s team, playing in a downtown arena, and hope springs eternal. The Wizards and the NBA are a mainstay of D.C. sportsbooks, offering lots of wagering options over the course of an 82-game season.
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ImageMLB – Washington Nationals: The “Nats” have been extremely competitive for most of their short history, winning nearly half their games since arriving in D.C. from Montreal and even claiming a World Series title in 2019. The city took to the team instantly, filling a baseball void in the District that wasn’t quite met by the Orioles 41 miles away in Baltimore. And even though they’re in rebuilding mode now, 162 games still means lots of betting opportunities on the Nats each summer.
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ImageNHL – Washington Capitals: A fixture on the D.C. sports landscape since 1975, the Capitals are almost always good—they made the NHL playoffs 32 times in 48 seasons up through 2024, and claimed a Stanley Cup in 2018. With captain Alex Ovechkin in the lineup, Washington is always a threat. And with so many unique bets on the NHL, from pucklines to props and parlays, the Capitals are always a wagering favorite among those who follow hockey in the D.C.
USA Betting News
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has its headquarters located in Washington D.C. and is a great resource for anyone struggling to control their gambling habits. The NCPG offers a telephone line (1-800-GAMBLER), a text line (800GAM), and a chat option (1800gamblerchat.org). The NCPG’s website features a gambling counselor directory, information about gambling treatment faciilties, and additional resources.