Washington DC has had legal sports betting since the end of 2018. As a result, bettors in the nation’s capital can place wagers on all their favorite sports using legal DC sportsbook apps. They can also walk into an in-person sportsbook at one of DC’s licensed betting locations.

Take note that you don’t have to live in Washington DC to use a legal DC sportsbook app. As long as you are over 18 and physically present in the jurisdiction, you can download to your smartphone a DC betting app and start betting in minutes. It’s fun, safe, and 100% legal.

Bettors in the capital can now choose from sports betting apps that are already live in the city and more legal sportsbook operators on their way. So betting on the Washington Football Team, the Wizards, or the Capitals has never been safer and more accessible.

If you’re looking to get involved in DC’s sports betting action, keep reading this guide, where our betting experts cover all you need to know about Washington DC sports betting apps. It includes where to place wagers, sports covered, types of bets available, and DC’s major sports teams that many fans back with their stakes. Our offers pages also cover all the DC welcome bonuses and promotions that you simply can’t turn down.

Legal Sports Betting In Washington DC

After the Supreme Court struck down the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, Washington DC became one of the first jurisdictions outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting. This happened when Bill 22-944 was voted in by DC council members in December that year. The bill legalized in the District of Columbia both in-person and online sports betting.

The bill was signed into law in 2019, with the first legal DC sportsbook launched in May 2020. In-person sportsbooks followed shortly after, taking the first wagers from DC bettors in August 2020.

All the sports betting in Washington DC is overseen by the DC Lottery, which also launched an official betting app called Gambet DC. For now, it is the only online sportsbook you can access throughout the entire district. The other DC betting apps are only available within a geofenced area around their operator’s in-person sportsbook venue. For example, the William Hill DC betting app is only accessible around Capital One Arena, and the BetMGM DC app can only be used around Nationals Park.

Aside from location, the only other limitation on Washington DC betting is the legal age. To place wagers in the state, either at the retail locations or online, you must be at least 18 years old. But, if you meet these two criteria, there is plenty of betting fun to be had at your fingertips!

Washington DC Sports Betting Operators

The Office of Lottery & Gaming oversees Washington DC betting operators so that you can use any licensed DC sportsbook with confidence. They are all safe, trusted, and legitimate. To help you decide which Washington DC sports betting app to choose, here is a closer look at what we love about each.

William Hill Sportsbook DC

Overview: William Hill was originally launched in Britain in 1934 and gained popularity as one of the UK’s largest retail and online sportsbooks. In April 2021, William Hill was bought by US gambling and hospitality giant Caesars Entertainment. The sportsbook opened a retail sports betting venue in the Capital One Arena in July 2020, and at the end of the year, it also launched its mobile sports betting app in Washington DC.

Features: Despite its location limitations, the William Hill DC sportsbook app is a fantastic choice for bettors. The company is nearly a century old, and its experience shows all over its mobile betting platform. You’re greeted with an easy-to-use interface that’s perfect for beginners and pros alike. In addition, there’s a huge selection of markets and exciting betting options that fit all customers.

Bonus Offers: If you aren’t convinced yet, William Hill’s welcome bonus will win you over. This Washington DC sportsbook offers all new bettors up to $500 in bonus money to get you started. And with unbeatable odds, chances are you’ll be placing some great bets in no time.

GamBet Sportsbook DC

Overview: As Washington DC’s own lottery-run gambling option, GamBet DC sportsbook doesn’t have the years of experience behind it like its main competitors. However, it does have the advantage of being the first online sportsbook to enter the DC market.

Features: The site is intuitive and functional, with clear organization and defined sports betting categories. Besides, GamBet can be accessed from anywhere in the District of Columbia, making it attractive to DC customers further from Capital One Arena.

Bonus Offers: But the GamBet DC sportsbook app does have some cons. First, there’s no regular welcome bonus offered to new players. And we guess that because the DC Lottery runs it, it’s conservative in its offers of promotions and odds. But if you take all the pros and cons into account, GamBet is still a pretty good option for Washington DC betting. Check our offers pages for current promotions and more information.

BetMGM Sportsbook DC

Overview: BetMGM is the newest app launched in the DC sports betting market. It is the online and mobile gambling arm of MGM Resorts International. You can place bets in person at BetMGM’s sportsbook venue at Nationals Park, home of MLB’s Washington Nationals, or you can place bets on the BetMGM DC app if you are within a geofenced area around the stadium.

Features: The BetMGM betting app provides DC bettors with an elegant design and an easy-to-use interface. It competes with rival operator William Hill by bringing to DC bettors attractive promotions, competitive odds, and good sports coverage. BetMGM is primarily known for its comprehensive list of offers in niche sports markets.

Bonus Offers: Check our offers page to ensure you receive the maximum welcome bonus from BetMGM.

How To Gamble Legally In Washington DC

If you want to get a slice of the capital’s betting action, you’ll be pleased to know it is easy to start gambling legally in Washington DC. Before you start, be sure that you are within city limits (or within the radius of Capital One Arena or Nationals Park if you are interested in using William Hill or BetMGM).

If so, simply follow these steps to get started, and you’ll be placing bets in minutes:

  • Choose one of the legal Washington DC sportsbook apps. Our list of recommended sites provides all the legit options.
  • Head to the sportsbook’s website or download the DC sports betting app to your mobile device. Click the “Sign-Up” button and follow the on-screen instructions to create an account. You’ll need to provide personal information (such as ID, date of birth, and social security number) and set a username and password.  
  • Visit the sportsbook’s cashier page to make a deposit. You can select your preferred payment method and make a secure, instant deposit to your online account.
  • Browse the betting options available on your chosen DC sportsbook. Once you find a wager you’re happy with, add it you’re your electronic betting slip and place your bets.
  • Now you will have to wait for your bets to come in. If you win, head to the cashier page again and follow the instructions to withdraw your winnings. Or, leave the money in your account to place more wagers.

Washington DC Mobile Sports Betting

DC bettors can head to an in-person sportsbook location or access DC sportsbooks online. But when it comes to legal betting, DC sports betting apps are the real stars of the show!

All DC sportsbook platforms are built on the latest HTML5 technology. It means that the sites are responsive and transition seamlessly from desktop to mobile. So whether you want to place bets from home or from the road, there’s little to get used to when switching between devices. To make things even easier, you can use the same username, password, and account balance on any device you use.

But if you are looking for a complete mobile experience, William Hill, BetMGM, and GamBet also offer DC players dedicated sports betting apps. So if you know you’ll be playing from your smartphone or tablet, we definitely recommend downloading the apps. They make for a better user experience, with faster connectivity and easily accessible features. When playing via a DC mobile betting app, you can also opt-in for notifications, reminding you of the best sporting events or promotions you don’t want to miss. Betting on the move in Washington DC has never been easier!

Assuming you have enough memory storage on your device, downloading either of the DC sportsbook apps is easy. For iPhone users, simply head to the App Store, search for the app of your choice, and download it from there. Google Play isn’t advertising the DC sportsbooks yet, so Android users will instead have to head to the sportsbook via their mobile browser. From there, you’ll be able to download the application directly to your device. For the most convenient option, head to our offer pages. You’ll find there all the download links, as well as promotions, reviews, and more useful information, all in one place.

Betting On Washington DC Sports

Although it’s a district and not a state, Washington DC competes nicely with most states’ major sports teams. In fact, the District of Columbia is home to a team from every US major sports league. So using licensed DC betting apps allows you to bet on local and visiting teams from the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL. You can also bet on other local and international sports like rugby, soccer, boxing, tennis, and many more sports included in DC’s Executive Order from June 2020. But let’s take a closer look at the city’s most popular leagues.

Washington DC NFL Betting

The NFL gets more betting action than any other major sport in the US. And in the District of Columbia, things continue to follow the national trend. Washington is home to none other than the NFL’s Washington Football Team, formerly known as the Washington Redskins. With a large base of local fans, it is no surprise they’re a favorite DC betting option.

When it comes to NFL betting, DC sportsbook apps allow you to bet on pre, regular and post-season games. This includes simple moneyline bets to more complicated proposition wagers or parlays. You can also wager on future events, such as predicting the winner for the Super Bowl.

Washington DC NBA Betting

The infamous Washington Wizards also have a large fanbase in the state, making the NBA another popular DC betting option. The Wizards play in Capital One Arena that is located in the heart of the city. So it’s clear to see why bettors get so excited about getting involved in the action. From straightforward moneyline bets to betting live as the game unfolds, there’s plenty of ways to play using DC’s sports betting apps.  

Washington DC NHL Betting

As another popular US league, the NHL is again among the top betting options available in DC. It is popular in DC thanks to the Washington Capitals calling the city their home. The Capitals share Capital One Arena with the Wizards, meaning fans can easily place wagers at the onsite William Hill sportsbook or its DC sports betting app every game day.

The team has had a lot of success throughout history. Their latest and most notable success was winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Using the sports betting apps in Washington DC, placing wagers on individual game results, player stats, and who will win the next Stanley Cup title has never been easier.

Washington DC MLB Betting

Washington DC’s Major League Baseball team is the Washington Nationals, who play in the NL East division. The team played in RFK stadium before moving in 2008 to Nationals Park, located in southeast DC. The Nationals were founded in 1971 as the Montreal Expos and relocated to Washington DC in 2005. But the city has a long baseball tradition, with the Nationals being the eighth MLB franchise in Washington DC’s history. So betting on MLB teams to win, moneylines, parlays, and propositions quickly became part of the city’s baseball tradition.

Washington DC College & High School Betting

Like many US states, Washington DC online gambling does have limitations when it comes to college betting. Thankfully, you can use DC sports betting apps to place wagers on college games that are happening outside DC. However, you won’t find odds for any games that take place within the city.

This middle-ground stance puts DC in a relatively fortunate position. Bettors can still participate in NCAA betting and other popular college events, so long as the games are happening outside of DC. However, high school betting is strictly prohibited, regardless of when or where the teams are playing.

Washington DC Major Sports Partnerships

With Washington being home to several professional and college sports teams, it’s not surprising to many strike deals that many are striking deals with licensed sportsbook operators. This helps to boost brand awareness for the DC sportsbook apps. As more sportsbooks are looking to enter the market, partnerships appealing to the teams’ loyal fans become even more crucial.

Here’s a look at the current deals in place between online operators and major US leagues:

  • NFL: The Washington Football Team made history as the first NFL team to receive a land-based betting license through a partnership with FanDuel Sportsbook. FanDuel is live in Virginia, but not in Washington DC yet. However, many believe that FanDuel also signed this partnership to provide a launching pad for its legal DC betting app. And it is already in the advanced stages of getting its DC license. 
  • MLB: In preparation for the launch of its DC sportsbook app, BetMGM announced its partnership with the Washington Nationals. Other than BetMGM being the only mobile betting app available at Nationals Park, it also has a multi-year agreement to be the Nationals’ official betting partner. The BetMGM sportsbook app will allow bettors to place wagers on their mobile devices in the Nationals Park area.
  • NBA & NHL, Capital One Arena is home to three of the city’s famous sports teams: NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Capitals, and NCAA’s Georgetown Hoyas basketball team. By signing a deal with Capital One Arena, William Hill made history by becoming the first betting operator with a sportsbook inside a US stadium.

Sports Betting Bonuses Available In Washington DC

Like sports betting operators all over the country, legal DC sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to attract new players while keeping existing ones coming back. We have pulled together a list of the types of promotions often seen at online sportsbooks. It’s a good idea to understand all the main offers ahead of the industry expanding.  

  • Risk-Free Bets: A promotion to new players is currently up for grabs at the William Hill and BetMGM sportsbook apps. When placing your first bet on the DC sports betting app, the operator will return your stake if the bet loses.
  • No Deposit Bonus: A no deposit bonus is any promotion you can claim for free without first depositing real money onto the site. To claim it, you will need to sign up and verify your new account.
  • Deposit Match Bonus: A typical promotion offered to new and returning players. The sportsbook will match your deposit by crediting bonus money to your account.
  • Parlay Insurance: A parlay is a bet that combines multiple wagers, which all have to come out as winners for the parlay to pay out. With parlay insurance, the sportsbook returns your stake if one of your bets doesn’t come through.   
  • Odds Boosts: Sportsbooks will often increase the odds of a particular game or event in favor of the bettor. Better odds mean more profitable payouts!
  • Loyalty Rewards Programs: Many sportsbooks reward their most loyal players through a rewards program. Each dollar you spend on the site will earn you points, which you can then exchange for cash prizes, free bets, and other promotional offers. For example, you can use points earned on the BetMGM DC betting app for drinks, food, and even room upgrades at MGM properties around the country.   

Washington DC Sports Betting Safety & Trustworthiness

One of the most prominent concerns players have when betting online is the safety of their money and personal information. Thankfully, as Washington DC has a regulated sports betting industry, you can trust you’re in safe hands. All of the DC sports betting apps that we recommend are overseen by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG). They are responsible for only handing out licenses to operators that pass a strict screening process. It is also their job to perform regular audits of the current sportsbooks to ensure fair odds and a secure system that players can trust.

When using regulated Washington DC sportsbook apps, you also don’t need to be concerned that you won’t receive your payouts. Player funds are ring-fenced into a separate account to segregate the money from the operator’s financial assets. It means your winnings can’t get lost. And, if you do run into any issues, the law is there to protect you.

If wagering at William Hill, or BetMGM, there is also the benefit of having the retail sportsbook at your front door. So you can quickly head to Capital One Arena or Nationals Park and speak to a sportsbook staff member directly if you have any queries or concerns.

Washington DC Sports Betting FAQs

What kinds of sports bets are legal in Washington DC?

Plenty. When betting on Washington DC sportsbook apps, you have a huge choice of bets. You’ll find coverage of the major US leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA) alongside more niche and international events. Local teams are also available to wager on, including the Washington Nationals, Capitals, and Wizards. However, you cannot bet in DC on high school sports and non-sporting events, such as eSports and political betting.

Can I bet on college sports in Washington DC?

Yes, college betting is also permitted in the District of Columbia, as long as the games aren’t taking place within city limits. On the other hand, bets on high school sports are entirely banned.

Can I also bet on sports in person in Washington DC?

Yes, you can place sports bets in person in Washington DC. For now, the state has two in-person sportsbooks: William Hill’s DC sportsbook in Capital One Arena and BetMGM’s DC sportsbook in Nationals Park. You can also use William Hill’s and BetMGM’s betting apps to place bets through your mobile device in geofenced areas around the stadiums.

Can I bet anonymously at Washington DC’s legal sportsbook apps?

No, it is not possible to use any of the Washington DC sports betting apps anonymously. When creating an account, you have to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number, so the sportsbook will know who you are. You will also need to verify your identity against the information provided before cashing out any winnings.

Are more sportsbooks coming to Washington DC?

Yes, more Washington DC sportsbook apps are coming. BetMGM has gained market access through its partnership with the Washington Nationals, and more in-person and online sportsbooks are set to enter the capital soon. The next sportsbook app expected to launch is FanDuel, which is in the advanced stages of getting its operator license.