Best DC Sports Betting Sites 2023
Welcome to our guide to DC sports betting. In this article we’re going to reveal everything that you need to know about the Washington DC online sports betting scene. We’ll start with a list of the best DC sportsbooks.
- BetMGM – Begin with $1,000 risk-free bet
- Caesars – Risk-free bet up to $1,250
- DC State Lottery – Risk-free bet up to $1,500
- FanDuel – Risk-free bet up to $1,000
- DraftKings – 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000
How we Rank the Best DC Betting Sites
Having seen our list of the best Washington DC sports betting sites, you may be wondering how we came to rank them. There are a number of different factors that we consider. Here are some of criteria that go into ranking DC sports betting sites.
- Bonuses & Promotions – Users new and existing alike, can expect online sportsbooks to have promos. We evaluate the generosity, variety, uniqueness, ease of use and frequency of these offers.
- Extra Features – Any sports gambling platforms serving Washington DC’s bettors should have a DC sports betting app. We also like to see features such as live streaming, a Cash Out facility and Bet Builder
- Markets & Odds – Sports betting operations should cover major events with a deep range of markets, but pre-game and live. More niche events will naturally feature less markets, but key betting lines should still be available. When it comes to odds, they have to be competitive, or users will bet elsewhere/
- Payments – Depositing and withdrawals need to be quick and easy. We like to see a variety of deposit methods available, with short transaction time and with plenty of free options.
- Security & Support – When you have a problem, the customer service team is the place where you will turn to. With issues able to arise at any time, you need 24/7 availability, with a variety of contact options. When it comes to security, the latest technology needs to be employed, considering that you are entrusting your DC sports betting account with your personal and financial details.
Reviews of the Top 5 Washington DC Betting Sites
Now it’s time to take an in-depth look at our recommended DC sports betting websites.
1. BetMGM Sportsbook DC – Begin with $1,000 risk-free bet
The MGM DC sports betting website boasts a crisp and clear design. It’s a please to use and BetMGM offer their users plenty of features such as Edit My Bet, Cash Out, One Game Parlay and Live Streaming. We feel the all-round service delivered by BetMGM makes them the number one choice in DC.
Banking & Payouts
There’s plenty of payment options including AMEX, Apple Pay, Borgata Cage, Check by Mail, Discover Card, GAMEON CARD, Mastercard, PayNearMe, PayPal, paywithmybank, TAPPP, Visa and Wire transfer. BetMGM really just need to add cryptocurrency to the menu.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Betting Markets
There’s 18 sports listed in the A-Z. The likes of baseball, basketball, football and hockey are covered in depth, with the coverage of niche sports proving to be perfectly adequate. BetMGM have a number of one game parlay suggestions listed on the homepage, which is useful. Things to add in the future include a racebook and eSports coverage.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Customer Support
We couldn’t be more impressed by the customer service on offer. There’s 24/7 support available, which includes live chat, email and phone contact. The FAQ section has the answers to plenty of questions that might arise.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Odds & Prices
BetMGM’s odds compare very well with the competition. We found that’s the case whether it’s pre-game online bets or live markets, or whether it’s big leagues or smaller events.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Promotions
There’s a decent welcome bonus, with BetMGM giving you a $1000 risk-free bet to get your account off to a flying start. Yet it’s the range of promos for existing users that is really impressive. There’s lots of options including parlay insurance and bonuses, free bets, BetMGM rewards and plenty of one-off deals based around big events.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Security & Trust
Something holding back BetMGM is that online use is limited to within a couple of blocks from the Nationals Park retail sportsbook area. This means that there is geotracking software employed to determine your whereabouts, which can be a frustrating experience.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Pros:
- Great range of features
- Lots of regular promos
- First-class customer service and banking
Cons:
- Online use limited to area around Nationals Park
2. Caesars Sportsbook DC – Risk-free bet up to $1,250
Caesars is one of the biggest names in US betting. They have a well-designed and easy to navigate website, along with a quality app. A Cash Out facility is widely available at Caesars, giving users a much better chance of making profits with their betting. Other features include same-game parlays and live streaming.
Banking & Payouts
There’s plenty of different payment methods available, including the Caesars Sportsbook Prepaid Play+ Card, which gives instant access to your winnings. It is prudent to analyse which withdrawal method is best to use at Caesars, as we found some withdrawals took as long as 72 hours.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Betting Markets
There’s a wide range of betting markets across a number of different sports. All the ones that you’d expect to be popular amongst DC audiences are covered in depth, along with plenty of smaller sports.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Customer Support
If you have a problem the customer service team are available 24/7. You have the choice of live chat, email or phone in terms of contact options. We’d like to see a wider range of languages supported, with English being the only option.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Odds & Prices
Both pre-game and live odds are very competitive and that’s true across the biggest sports and smaller events. There’s also plenty of daily odds boosts for the top US leagues.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Promotions
There’s a risk-free bet on offer for new users up to $1250. There’s also plenty of offers for regular users. This includes the aforementioned odds boosts, a parlay boost of up to 50%, the Caesars Rewards Program and various bonuses centred on big games.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Security & Trust
Caesars is another sportsbook that can only be used within the vicinity of the retail outlet in DC. If and when legislation changes, they can perhaps expect a higher score in this category.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Pros:
- Very competitive prices
- Daily odds boosts
- Cash Out widely available
Cons:
- Can only be used within vicinity of the Capital One Arena
3. DC State Lottery / GamBetDC – Risk-free bet up to $1,500
GambetDC are the DC Lottery’s sportsbook platform. They have the advantage of being the only online sportsbook that is available to users throughout Washington. That’s quite a big plus for GambetDC, but they are competing with major brands that operate throughout the US and are part of bigger gaming companies that trade across the world.
Banking & Payouts
You can use credit and debit cards, eWallets, ACH bank transfer and prepaid cards. While there’s plenty of payment methods available, the maximum deposit amount of $2000 is pretty low and may discourage high-rollers.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Betting Markets
There was only 14 sports available when he made our review, which is a little less than we found elsewhere. Fortunately, the big events had plenty of market depth, so if you’re not too bothered about more niche sports, you might not experience a problem.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Customer Support
This is an area where GambetDC and the DC State Lottery excel. The FAQ section will have the answers to many issues that may arise. Should you need to contact the customer service they are available 24/7, with live chat, email and phone all available as contact methods.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Odds & Prices
This is an area where GambetDC particularly struggle against their competitors. Their odds just do not compare with those offered across Washington by other sportsbooks.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Promotions
Of all the risk-free bets available in Washington, the GambetDC offer is the most generous, with your first bet protected to the tune of $1500. There’s more risk-free bet options for existing users and parlay boosts available, but they don’t offer quite the range of regular promos as the big brands.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Security & Trust
Like their competitors there is geotracking employed but, with the DC State Lottery / GambetDC, it’s merely checking that you are within Washington DC, rather than in a specific area of the city. That makes a big difference.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros:
- Biggest risk-free bet for new users
- Online sportsbook available across DC
- Play the State Lottery as well
- Strong customer support
Cons:
- Odds do not compare with rivals
4. FanDuel Sportsbook DC – Risk-free bet up to $1,000
Famed for their Daily Fantasy Sports product, FanDuel cannot currently offer this service in Washington, where DFS betting is banned. They do however, have a sportsbook based at the Audi Field soccer stadium in DC, so one would hope that this development may help to change the legislation regarding DFS. For now, let’s take the FanDuel sportsbook through its paces and see how it fares.
Banking & Payouts
Payment methods include debit and credit cards, PayPal, FanDuel gift cards, Green Dot MoneyPak, PayNearMe, money orders or checks, and bank wire transfers. The latter will incur a $15 charge though and we’d like to see cryptocurrencies supported.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Betting Markets
We found over 20 sports to bet on, with the popular US sports covered in great depth and lots of other sports from around the world covered, such as cricket and snooker. Live streaming is in place and horse racing is available through the racebook.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Customer Support
There’s decent customer support that’s available 24/7. We found live chat, email and phone contacts, along with an FAQ section.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Odds & Prices
The odds at FanDuel are very generous. Whether it’s pre-game or live, big event or small, you should find that the prices at FanDuel are competitive.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Promotions
FanDuel will give you a $1000 risk-free bet when you open an account with their sportsbook. There’s plenty of promotions for regular users such as free bets and parlay bonuses, but one thing that’s missing that we’d like to see in the future is a loyalty program.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Security & Trust
For now, you can only use FanDuel online within a couple of blocks of the Audi Field. With their DFS product completely unavailable within DC, there’s currently a lot of restrictions for FanDuel in Washington, that are really holding it back.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Pros:
- Live streaming of events
- Horse racing covered with racebook
- 20+ sports
Cons:
- DFS not yet available in Washington
5. DraftKings – 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000
Like their fellow DFS specialists FanDuel, the core product of DraftKings is not available yet in Washington. In September 2022, the DraftKings sportsbook deputed at the Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino within Washingston, offering online availability if you’re in the vicinity of their retail outlets. Here’s how we rate that sportsbook.
Banking & Payouts
Our review found debit and credit cards, electronic gift cards, DraftKings gift cards, PayPal, Play+, VIP preferred and wire transfer, all available as payment options. Crypto would be a good addition.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Betting Markets
There were 17 sports covered when we checked, with the emphasis very much on the big four leagues and college sports. A racebook is something that’s lacking, while eSports coverage would be a good addition.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Customer Support
We found the help section to be difficult to find, which is the last thing a user needs when they have a problem to resolve. When we did reach it, we found 24/7 live chat and email contact, but there’s no phone number to call, with a callback service in place for major problems.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Odds & Prices
This is another area where DraftKings can improve. Though generally competitive enough, we struggled to find standout prices.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Promotions
Unlike most of the welcome offers available, which take the form of risk-free bets, DraftKings give you a deposit bonus of 20%. The maximum bonus that you can claim is $1000, which would require you to initially deposit $5000. Though that offer isn’t as generous as it first appears, existing users get plenty of deals including enhanced odds, parlay deals, free bets and refer a friend offers.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Security & Trust
Once again, there is geotracking in place to ensure that you only use the site within the proximity of DraftKing’s DC retail sportsbook.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Pros:
- Existing users get good range of promos
- Betting picks from DraftKings Nations site
- Lots of sports to bet on
Cons:
- Customer service lacking
Comparing DC Online Sports Betting Sites
Now that you’ve read our reviews of the best Washington sports betting sites, the chart below displays a little more information about what they have to offer.
Best DC Sports Betting Sites
Betting App
Live Betting
Live Streaming
Racebook
BetMGM
Caesars
DC State Lottery / GamBet DC
FanDuel
DraftKings
Is Sports Betting Legal in DC?
A lot of people will come to the article because they’ve got the same question on their mind. Is sports betting legal in Washington DC? Sports betting in Washington DC was legalized in January 2019, but the COVID-19 crisis pushed back the planned rollout.
Sports betting operators in the state were finally launched in the summer of 2020. DC sports bettors can enjoy gambling through the means of retail, online and mobile sportsbooks. The DC Lottery oversees all Washington DC legal sports betting activity.
Washington DC Legal Sports Betting Timeline
If you’re interested in how DC sports betting became legal, then here is a timeline detailing the steps that were taken.
- 2018 – Act 22-994 is passed authorizing DC sports betting in all forms.
- 2019 – Act 22-994 is signed into law after being passed by congressional review.
- 2020 – DC Lottery launches its online betting site Gambet DC.
- 2021 – William Hill launches the Capital One Arena sportsbook. It is followed by bar-based sportsbooks.
- 2022 – Many standalone sportsbooks are set for launch, with multiple bars and two DC sports stadiums offering sports betting,
Licensed Partners of Washington DC Sportsbooks
DC sports betting apps are available to users in Washington, but only within the vicinity of a partnered retail sportsbook location. The following chart shows the licensed partners of every sports betting app in DC.
Best DC Sports Betting Sites
Retail Partner
Platform
BetMGM
Nationals Park
GVC
Caesars
Capital One Arena
William Hill
DraftKings
Tulalip Tribes
SB Tech
FanDuel
Audi Field
Flutter
DC State Lottery / GambetDC
DC Lottery Outlets
Intralot
Grand Central Sportsbook
Grand Central Restaurant Bar & Sportsbook
Elys Game Technolgy
Washington DC Sports Betting Online Promotions & Offers
Whether you’re signing up for a new account with one of our recommended DC online sportsbooks, or an existing user, you’ll be able to take advantage of promotions and bonuses from the bookmaker. Here are some of the different types of offers that you can expect to see at DC sports betting websites.
- Free Bet – As the name suggests, this is a type of bet that won’t cost you anything. The free bet is worth a certain amount and you can place it on a wager of your choice. If the bet is successful, you’ll receive the winnings part of the bet back, but not the stake.
- Risk-Free Bet – With this type of bet, losing is not an option. If you place a risk-free bet and you lose, you’ll find your stake returned to you, up to a certain stated amount. The stake can be paid back as cash, or as a free bet.
- Deposit Bonus – Common as a welcome offer, you make your initial deposit and the bookmaker will multiply that deposit by a certain percentage, up to a certain stated amount. So if the bookmaker is offering a 100% deposit bonus, up to $50, you’ll get a $50 bonus when you sign up and deposit $50. Sometimes you need to enter Washington DC sportsbook promo codes when registering to be eligible.
- No Deposit Bonus – Occasionally, you might find DC sports betting websites offering this type of bonus as a welcome offer. You register and without even having to make a deposit, they will give you a small bonus.
- Reload Bonus – This is essentially the same as a deposit bonus, but for existing users. The percentage bonus offered on qualifying deposits is normally smaller than a welcome offer, which is understandable as it’s a bonus that can be accessed on a regular basis.
- Enhanced Odds – With this bonus, odds are boosted beyond the level that they normally would be at. With some DC sports betting accounts you’ll get a selection of enhanced odds offers every day.
- Parlay Bonus – They more selections that there are in your parlays, the bigger the bonus that will be added to your winnings, if you’re successful.
- Perks and Offers – Many sportsbooks have contests or VIP schemes where you can earn all sorts of perks and offers. These can include sports tickets to big events.
How to Sign up to Online Sportsbooks in DC
If you’re new to sports betting in DC then you may be wondering how you go about signing up with a bookmaker. These are the steps that you will need to take.
Step 1: Register
Go to your sportsbook of choice and click to start the registration process. You’ll have to enter your personal details, select a username and password and agree with the terms and conditions.
Step 2: Verify
You’ll need to prove that you’re over 18 and generally verify your identity. Sportsbooks tend to request a form of ID such as a driving license.
Step 3: Deposit
Once your account is set up and verified, you can deposit some funds. Go to the banking section, select a payment type and make a deposit.
Step 4: Bet
Now the fun begins. With money in your sportsbook account, you can place a bet. Select the event that you’re interested in, choose a bet, add your stake and confirm your first bet.
Washington DC Online Sports Betting Markets
In this section we’re going to run through some of the sports, leagues and events that you can expect to be available to bet on, when using DC sportsbooks.
The Big Leagues
The focus for DC sports betting websites are the big four US sports leagues. They are MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL. Baseball, basketball, football and hockey are the most popular sports for users of DC online sportsbooks and this is clearly reflected in the amount of promos based around those sports, the market depth and how they’re prominently displayed on the websites. Because these leagues are the most popular, there tends to be strong odds for then, whether you want to be pre-game or live.
College Sports
For fans of the big four sports that want to further scratch that itch, the college sports scene provides plenty of extra games and markets to bet on. It’s college basketball that tends to be the most popular event for DC sports betting, with March Madness seeing the best college teams fighting it out in a month-long culmination of the season.
Other Sports
In just about every other country in the world, soccer is the most popular sport to watch and bet on. It’s now pretty popular in the US too, with Washington having one of the all-time most successful MLS franchises in DC United. Soccer competitions from overseas such as the EPL and Champions League are well covered by DC sports betting websites. When it comes to individual sports, golf, tennis and combat sports such as boxing and MMA are all popular.
eSports
Across the world, eSports betting is one of the biggest growth areas in the sports betting industry. With competitive video game competitions a big deal in the US, eSports betting is destined to be big in the US too. Not every DC sports betting website offers eSports betting at the moment, but you can be sure that this will change in the years to come.
Daily Fantasy Sports
DFS is explicitly banned in DC, so fantasy fans in Washington will have to wait for legislation to change before they’re able to enjoy such games. With fantasy sports you can bet on the real-life performance of athletes. Major US betting companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel sportsbook Washington DC, started out offering daily fantasy sports, before adding sports betting to the mix.
DC Sports Betting Lines
We’ve just taken at look at some of the things that you’ll be able to bet on at the best Washington DC sportsbooks. Now it’s time to examine the types of sports wagers and betting lines that you’ll see when doing some District of Columbia sports betting.
- Moneyline – Click on any sporting event and the moneyline is the market that you’re likely to first see. You are simply betting on who will win an event.
- Parlays – With this type of bet, you can accumulate a number of wagers together. They all need to be successful for the parlay to be a winner. This can be a good way to utilise wagers with short odds, bringing them together to make one bet that offers some value.
- Points Spread – Moneyline markets can often have an unsatisfactory set of odds when there’s a heavy favorite. With a points spread, the market is made more even. The favorite gets a points handicap, while the underdog is given a points head start.
- Props – A props bet gives a proposition which can be bet on. Such as will a football team score over a certain points threshold? Or will there be a sending off in a soccer game? Player props bets are also popular at DC sports betting websites, with users given the opportunity to bet on the statistical performance of individual players.
- Futures – If you want to bet on an event in the future, like a team to win the Stanley Cup, or a player to win the US Open tennis, then futures markets are where you’ll find such wagers.
Banking Options for Online Sports Betting in Washington DC
The DC sports betting industry provides plenty of payment options for users. Here are some of the methods that you are likely to see.
- BillPay – Some sportsbooks accept this method, which allows you to easily pay bills from your bank account. You just have to enter your banking details and password to make a deposit. This is not a method that can be used for withdrawals.
- Credit and Debit Cards – The cards that you have in your wallet such as Mastercard and Visa are acceptable forms of payment for deposits and withdrawals. Some sportsbooks support Discover and American Express as well.
- In Person – With there being physical venues in DC that are tied to online sportsbooks, you can show up in person to make an instant deposit or withdrawal.
- Instant eChecks and ACH – With this method you can write electronic checks which can be cashed at your DC sports betting account. This is another method that can only be used for deposits.
- PayNearMe – If you have a local retailer that offers PayNearMe, you can visit and deposit cash. You’ll be given a code which you then enter at your DC sports betting account.
- PayPal and eWallets – PayPal and other eWallets are a quick and easy payment option. Transactions are instant and you can make withdrawals as well as deposits.
- Wire Transfer – If you’re looking to make a large deposit, then a wire transfer might be your best bet. The disadvantage is that this method can be rather slow and it’s not an option for withdrawals.
DC Sportsbook Team Sponsorship
More than is the case in most US cities, there are some very close ties between Washington’s sports teams and betting companies. Sportsbooks have partnered up with franchises, stadiums and arenas throughout DC, to provide retail betting space. Here’s the lowdown on some of those partnerships.
Baseball
The MLB team in DC is the Washington Nationals, who won the World Series in 2019. Their stadium, Nationals Park, is also the home of the MGM sportsbook DC. It’s the first retail sportsbook connected to a Major League Baseball team, with the MGM DC sportsbook open all year round for Washington bettors and not just on days when there’s baseball games on. Online MGM sports betting in DC is limited to within around two blocks of Nationals Park.
Basketball
DC’s NBA team are the Washington Wizards. They play at the Capital One Arena and since May 2021, it has also been home to the Caesars DC sportsbook. There’s a restaurant and bar area, where sports bettors can relax while placing bets, along with a number of self-serve betting kiosks. Again, online use of the Caesars sportsbook Washington DC, is limited to within a couple of blocks from the venue.
Football
The Washington Commanders are the NFL team representing DC. Formally known as the Redskins, they are three-time Super Bowl winners. As yet, the Commanders have not announced a betting partnership for their home at the FedEx Field. They were awarded a Maryland sports betting license in August 2022, so it’s surely only a matter of time before a betting partnership is announced.
Hockey
Along with the Washington Wizards and Caesars, the Capital One Arena is also home to NHL team the Washington Capitals. Hockey fans can place at bet at Caesars when they’re at the game and on any other day of the year.
Soccer
DC United are one of the biggest names in the MLS. They’ve won the MLS Cup four times and have numerous other titles to their name. They play their home games at the Audi Field, which is also home to the sportsbook from FanDuel. Once more, this is a service that’s available all-year round and not just when DC United’s games are on, with online users able to access the FanDuel site and app, nearby the stadium.
Washington DC Sports Betting Apps
Though sports betting in DC is mainly retail based, there are betting apps available. Some of them have to be used within or very near to physical sportsbooks. This is obviously pretty inconvenient for users, who have to deal with geotracking technology to determine their location, which can make for a frustrating experience.
The whole point of mobile sports betting apps is for the user to be able to bet wherever they are. Currently the DC lottery sports betting app is the only app that is available everywhere in Washington.
For that reason, the DC State Lottery / GambetDC is clearly the best Washington DC sports betting app right now. In time, we hope that the situation with mobile wagering can change, so that there can be more competition from other sportsbooks.
Tips for Sports Betting in DC
If you’re going to be betting with online sbooks in DC then it makes sense to have some strategies to fall back on. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using DC sports betting sites.
Tip 1: Do Your Homework
If you’re interested in betting on an event, make sure that you are completely up to date with the latest news surrounding it, such as whether there are any injuries. Take a look at the statistics for events you want to bet on. You’ll find that when you do, certain bets will naturally stand out.
Tip 2: Take Advantage of Features and Offers
If betting live it’s recommended that you watch the event in question, so look out for whether live streaming is available. When betting live or on a futures market, you could be offered the opportunity Cash Out by bookmakers that have that feature available. Bet Builder is a feature that can help you to add a little value to a wager, as it allows you to make same game parlays. Make sure that you also take full advantage of the various promos and bonuses available, as they will give you some extra cash to play with.
Tip 3: Follow Tipsters
There are pro tipsters out there that devote their time to giving out betting advice. Follow their tips and see if they make profit over time. If they do, then you can safely follow their advice and place a bet. Some sportsbook companies have their own content sites which feature betting tips and advice.
The Best Sportsbook in DC
We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best Washington DC sports betting sites. Our absolute favorite sportsbook in DC is BetMGM. The BetMGM sportsbook DC offers a great all-round betting product for users.
FAQs
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Dan is a sports journalist who has written for the likes of ESPN and FourFourTwo. Also a regular tipster for Betfair, Dan has been writing about sports betting for some of the biggest names in the industry, over many years.
