Washington DC Sports Betting – Is Sports Betting Legal In Washington DC?

Washington, D.C. has five online sportsbooks to choose from.

• BetMGM: BetMGM’s online sportsbook launched in D.C. on July 17, 2024. It also has a retail location at Nationals Park as the official betting partner of the Washington Nationals.
• Caesars: Caesars’ online sportsbook also went live in D.C. on July 17, 2024. It has a retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.
• DraftKings: D.C.’s newest sportsbook went live on July 26, 2024. It’s partnered with D.C. United.
• FanDuel: FanDuel arrived in D.C. on April 15, 2024, the day after GambetDC shut down. It has a physical location at Audi Field, home of D.C. United.
• Fanatics: Fanatics expanded to D.C. on Sept. 12, 2014, launching in partnership with the Washington Spirit.

The legal sports betting age in Washington, D.C. is 18, which is a bit younger than usual. Most states with legal sports betting require bettors to be at least 21.

Sportsbooks confirm your age when you register by verifying your identity along with your date of birth. They’ll also pinpoint your location to confirm that you’re physically located within the district.

Despite covering just 68.3 square miles, Washington, D.C. is home to several professional sports teams

• Washington Nationals

Washington has had several different baseball franchises throughout the years, most recently the Nationals. Previously the Montreal Expos, the Nationals relocated from Canada after the 2004 season and opened Nationals Park in 2008.

Led by homegrown stars such as Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Juan Soto, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon, the Nationals were one of MLB’s most successful franchises of the 2010s. They capped off the decade with their first World Series appearance and championship in 2019, beating the Houston Astros in seven games.

• Washington Commanders

While the Commanders play in Maryland, they are still considered D.C.’s NFL team. The franchise was founded in Boston in the 1930s before moving to D.C. and becoming the Redskins in 1937. The team changed its name to Washington Football Team in 2020 and became the Commanders in 2022.

The Commanders haven’t had much success recently, but they were one of the best franchises in the NFL from the early 1970s to the early 1990s. They reached five Super Bowls during that time, winning three.

• Washington Wizards

Washington’s NBA franchise has undergone several moves and name changes over the years. Originally founded as the Chicago Packers in 1961, the team moved to Baltimore in 1963 before relocating to D.C. during the 1970s.

The franchise changed its name from the Bullets to the Wizards in 1997 but hasn’t had much success lately. The team won its lone championship in 1978 but hasn’t made the NBA Finals since 1979.

NBA legend Michael Jordan finished his career with the Wizards, coming out of retirement to play two seasons with them in the early 2000s.

• Washington Capitals

The Capitals were born as an NHL expansion franchise in the 1970s. They struggled initially but have been one of the league’s most successful teams over the last 40-plus seasons, making the playoffs almost every year.

Led by superstar Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals finally got over the hump in 2018, winning their first Stanley Cup in five games over the Vegas Golden Knights.

• D.C. United

D.C. United is one of the most successful teams in MLS history. Founded in 1994, the club was an inaugural MLS team when the league launched in 1996.

D.C. United has racked up numerous trophies since then, winning four MLS Cups, four Supporters’ Shields, three U.S. Open Cups and six Eastern Conference titles.

Washington, D.C. is also home to several Division I schools. However, bettors are prohibited from wagering on schools located within the city limits or on any college sporting events that take place in D.C.

• American University

The Eagles play in the Patriot League. They do not have a football team but have made three March Madness appearances in men’s basketball, all since 2000. However, they have yet to win a game in the NCAA Tournament, losing all three of their appearances by double digits.

• Georgetown University

The Hoyas are known for their basketball program, which competes in the Big East. They’ve won over 1,700 games since their first season in 1906-07 and have had considerable success in the NCAA Tournament, especially in the 1980s. Georgetown reached the title game three times in four years from 1982 to 1985, cutting down the nets in 1984.

On the gridiron, the Hoyas compete in the Patriot League. They’ve tallied over 500 wins since their first season in 1876 while producing 18 All-Americans, but haven’t played a Bowl game since 1950.

• George Washington University

The Revolutionaries compete in the Atlantic 10. They haven’t had a football team since 1966 but have had some success on the hardwood with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including nine since 1990. GW advanced to the Sweet 16 in 1993 and has reached the Round of 32 three times.

• Howard University

The Bison compete in the MEAC. Their football team was founded in 1893 and has won over 500 games. They’re 1-3 in Bowl games and have sent over 20 players to the NFL.

On the court, Howard has made four NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back showings in 2023 and 2024. However, the school has an 0-4 record in March Madness.

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