Washington DC Online Sportsbooks
While it’s not a state, Washington D.C. has many of the same rights that US states enjoy. One of these, now that the federal PASPA sports betting ban has been overturned by the US Supreme Court (in Washington D.C., no less!), is the ability to legalize Washington D.C. online sportsbooks. To that end, the D.C. City Council has done exactly that, and the D.C. Lottery is currently working on an official online site and app that will allow residents to wager on sports citywide.
However, Washington D.C. sportsbooks have been up and running overseas for years. These offshore operators – sites like Bovada, BetOnline, BookMaker, BetDSI, SportsBetting, and others – have been accepting D.C. bettors for over a combined 100 years. It’s always been legal for D.C. residents to join these sites, too (even when PASPA was still in effect). An estimated 50,000-75,0000 D.C. bettors use these sites every year, and that number continues to grow. Using these sites is 100% legal, and nobody in the city has ever been arrested, fined, or otherwise legally challenged for being members and making real-money sports bets at these venues. If you want to wager at an online Washington D.C. sportsbook but don’t want to use the pending city-sanctioned app, these online sportbooks for U.S. bettors have everything you could possibly want – and then some!
Where Can I Legally Bet On The NFL Games In Washington DC?
Residents in Washington DC have plenty of options when it comes to betting on the NFL. Since state-sponsored betting was approved in the District back in 2018, local professional sports venues and certain bars/resteraunts have the ability to open up their own sportsbooks. While only Capital One Arena has opened it's betting kiosks so far, NFL fans in Washington DC still have plenty of ways to bet on the big game. The international online sportsbooks have been serving DC and USA residents for years, and are a safe and efficient way to bet on the NFL. Whether you are betting on the Washington Football Team, Baltimore Ravens, or any other franchise, these sites will have full betting suites for you to utilize. Find odds for every NFL game in addition to futures bets, player props, parlays, and everything else you love about betting on the NFL, right from home or on your phone.
Mobile NFL Betting in Washington DC
Since the District of Columbia has approved sports betting, there are a few different ways that you can bet on your phone while in the area. While there are a few apps that allow you to bet on the go including GameBet DC, the best way still remains the online international sportsbooks. These websites are able to be accessed right on your phone with no need to download an app. Simply navigate to the sportsbook website from your device’s internet browser, and you will be automatically taken to the mobile client of the site. This mobile version allows you to access the full power of the sportsbook right from your phone’s browser, with no downloads required. From there, you can find all of the odds and betting lines just like if you were on your computer. These odds will almost certainly be more favorable than the local mobile option because they are free from weighted lines caused by home-town bias.
Live NFL Betting in Washington DC
Live betting has become one of the most popular ways to bet on sports in recent times thanks to modern technology. With today’s online sportsbooks, bettors can log in to the site and find odds for games that are currently underway. These live odds will adjust and change as the game develops, giving bettors the opportunity to lay down a wager any time they would like. The catch of course is that the odds reflect the action in the game, meaning if a team is up big, you can expect them to have less profitable odds to win. With live betting, you are never locked out from action on a game and there is always time to bet. Live betting also allows plenty of opportunities to hedge your bets, or double down on a team that goes down early. This is the same when it comes to betting on the NFL, which has by far the most live betting odds of any sport. Any true sports bettor knows how to handle the live betting odds.
Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Washington D.C.?
Yes, it is! In December 2018, the Washington D.C. city council approved the legalization of sports betting, which will be handled by the D.C. Lottery and its partnership with INTRALOT. The deal, though unpopular among some council members, is currently being finalized, with the city hoping to roll out sports wagering over the Internet sometime before the start of the 2019 NFL season. However, those living in D.C. don’t actually have to wait in order to wager on the players and sports they love.
A legal alternative to using the pending city betting platform is to use legal offshore sportsbooks that serve US customers. Washington D.C. residents have access to all the best sports betting sites in the business, with Bovada, BetOnline, MyBookie, and more all on tap. Signing up is fast and free, and all the real-money wagers you place at these sites are encrypted and guaranteed. The process is totally legal and straightforward, and even when your in-city wagering option finally launches, you’ll want to continue using these sites for their robust odds boards, line shopping opportunities, and promotional perks.
Useful Article: Is Online Sports Betting Legal In The U.S.
Will Washington D.C. Residents Get into Trouble for Placing Bets Online?
In a word, No. In fact, online sports betting in D.C. is safer than ever, with the city recently legalizing its own domestic approach. However, in legalizing land-based wagering in the D.C. city limits, the city council did not simultaneously criminalize the use of offshore betting sites, which are where the majority of D.C. bettors have been placing their sports wagers for decades.
These fully legal offshore betting options remain available to the sports fanatics in Washington D.C., and they’re definitely not going anywhere. However, if you remain unsure about the sports betting laws in Washington D.C., the best way to avoid potential problems with these laws is to rely on the information we provide here. In doing so, you will be able to take advantage of the many sports betting opportunities provided by the legal sites we review and recommend. While each of these sites has its particular strengths and individual focuses (particularly where one game may be more prominent than another), all share one thing in common: They are legal for players in Washington, D.C.!
Where Can Washington D.C. Residents Bet Sports Online?
As we indicated, there are many legal options for where D.C. bettors can wager on sports over the Internet. But just because an online site is legal does not make it attractive or reputable. There are a lot of factors to consider before deciding to dedicate your time and money to an online sports betting site. Security, the variety of sports covered, your data privacy, and a site’s payout policies are important factors to keep in mind.
The sites we have reviewed for you today meet the litmus test where all of these considerations are measured – and they also provide a whole lot of fun! There are a lot of scams out there, and it can be a hassle to wade through them all in the pursuit of the perfect Washington D.C. sportsbook. That’s why we’ve made it our job to do the leg work for you, and we've done it! Pick any or all of the sites we recommend, and we’re confident that you’ll love these trusted, award-winning legal sites if you live in Washington D.C. and enjoy wagering on sports.
Sports Betting In Washington D.C. With District Sportsbooks
Local sports betting in DC has been available since May of 2020 and with the launch came both land-based and mobile betting with GambetDC. The online and mobile betting scene in DC has not boomed the way that other sports betting markets have as of yet, but with the new launch of the limited online sportsbook William Hill, things may change. William Hill saw early success in DC despite only being available at the temporary Capital One Arena location. Now that the popular sportsbook is available with mobile betting in a designated zone, the mobile betting numbers should surely increase. In addition, other sports betting entities like DraftKings and FanDuel are likely to follow suit once they gain local government approval. This means 2021 may be the year that the DC sports betting market finally blossoms in full force.
Best Online Sportsbooks That Accept Washington D.C. Residents
Bovada Sportsbook – Welcomes Residents From Washington D.C.!
Tell someone the Rangers are +130 over the Bruins, and someone who knows what you're talking about will usually respond, "I saw that on Bovada!" That’s because Bovada is easily the most-visited and most-trusted sportsbook on the Internet, and it’s the biggest sports betting site for D.C. gamblers. For the most current odds, the best information, and the lowdown on nuances that make a longshot look like a sure winner, Bovada is the place to place your bets.
Bovada offers pretty much anything you could ever want to wager on, from casino games, live poker, and horse races to national and international sports like football, baseball, soccer, rugby, darts, bowling, and more. Bovada is available for players and fans in the District of Columbia, and new members can get up to $250 in free plays just for signing up today!
BetOnline Sportsbook – Great Sportsbook Bonus For Washington D.C. Bettors
BetOnline is one of the most popular sportsbooks in The District, as it covers all US and international sports on a daily basis (and even has live betting on most prominent daily contests). In addition to all that, the most outstanding features of BetOnline are in their robust banking options. The site accepts more than a dozen different payment options, including Bitcoin and a host of other cryptocurrencies for quick deposits and payouts.
If you live in Washington D.C. and join BetOnline today, you’ll be able to take advantage of a number of different bonuses. These range from racebook rebates, casino free plays, refer-a-friend perks, and more. However, the most popular BetOnline bonus is their new-member sportsbook promo. When making your first deposit at BetOnline, just enter code “BOL1000” to have the site match your deposit by 50% for up to $1000 in free plays. Pad your bankroll and pad your stats at BetOnline!
MyBookie Sportsbook – A Top Online SportsBook
Most of the time players like to make wagers at the same sportsbook. Going to a different sportsbook is something that not many players want to do every time a big game is coming up. Going to different sportsbooks is a huge headache. With the Mybookie being one of the premier sportsbooks, this is where players can create an account and come back to at any time they want to place a big bet on their favorite team with ease. MyBookie has it all for all players and in fact all players have to be is 18 and older to sign up for an account. Best of all, it only takes mintutes to do.
Along with that comes the great prop bets that are offered for every game. It is known that many of the players will continue to go back and place prop bets because the odds on MyBookie are some of the best in the industry. Now the thing is, it is better to take advantage of the odds earlier before they change leading up to the game. Shopping for lines is not needed because there are great ones here on MyBookie along with the most innovative banking methods offered for players. Bet on any of your favorite Washington D.C. sports teams at MyBookie.
XBet Sportsbook – Best Odds In The Capital
XBet is one of the best places to bet on your favorite sports teams in Washington D.C. The online betting operator is home to some of the best betting lines available. You are able to wager on all major sporting events and find the best odds pertaining to these events at XBet. The online sportsbook offers betting lines for events from the US Open to the Super Bowl. You will also find a slew of player props for every major game as well. No matter how you wish to play, XBet is the best place to bet on sports in Washington D.C.
All XBet patrons will log on every day and find betting lines galore. The sportsbook is filled with a seemingly endless pool of winning opportunities. XBet also offers variety when it comes to sporting events you can wager on. When betting on sports in Washing D.C., XBet is one of the premiere ways to get in on the action.
SportsBetting Sportsbook – Bet On The Go
SportsBetting is one of the best online sports betting operations in Washington. The online sportsbook is home to some of the best betting options available and the biggest draw of the sportsbook is its mobile capabilities. You will be able to access the full sportsbook from most smartphones and tablets. This leads to anytime anywhere on the go sports betting. When betting on sports at SportsBetting, you will be able to wager while on the bus, in your home, in line at the grocery store, or even while at a Washington Wizards game. Anywhere you are is the best place to bet on sports in the nation’s capital.
With mobile betting, you do not have to worry about traveling to a land-based operation to bet on sports. This is the most convenient way to wager. The odds are at your fingertips and the betting lines rival those of any other traditional bookmaker. The best way to play is with mobile betting at SportsBetting.
Online Sportsbooks That Accept Washington DC Residents
| Washington DC Sportsbooks | New U.S. Player Bonus | Go To U.S. Betting Site | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Review | 50% Up To $250 | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! | |
 | Review | 50% New Member Bonus! | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! | |
 | Review | 100% Up To $300 | |
 | Review | 100% Up To $500 NEW! |
Washington D.C. Sports Betting Laws
Historically, sports betting has been the most heavily regulated and restricted area of legal gambling. However, with PASPA a thing of the past, that’s started to change – or, at least, the pastime is becoming legal and available in more areas than ever before. While Washington D.C. isn’t a state, it operates like one when it comes to local laws, and now that the city council has approved sports wagering, the activity is on its way to the area in an official, state-sanctioned capacity. You can read up on the proposed rules and regulations specific to sports betting in Washington D.C. here.
It is important to note, of course, that these proposed rules and regulations don’t actually impact your legal ability to wager at offshore sports betting sites, and many D.C. bettors are continuing to forego local options by signing up at these high-value offshore sportsbooks.
Useful Article: Sports Betting Laws in the U.S.A.
Are Online Sportsbooks Accepting Washington D.C. Residents Regulated?
The Washington D.C. Lottery’s sports wagering app (powered by INTRALOT) is absolutely regulated, and the service must comply with all rules and regulations outlined by the Washington D.C. city council. However, the internet-based options available to area bettors are not regulated by Washington D.C. or the US government in any way. That’s because they all exist and operate outside the physical, geographical purview of American laws. Transactions with these sites are protected by longstanding trade conventions, and D.C. has taken no chances in rocking the boat. It is and will remain 100% legal and safe to use reputable online betting sites for your D.C. betting needs.
Washington D.C. Is A Good Place To Enjoy Sports + Sports Betting
Long before Michael Jordan brought the Washington Wizards to NBA prominence, the nation's capital was as much a sports hub as it is a political entity. From the early days of the Redskins and Senators to today's Nationals, there are players, teams, and sports that excite the gamblers of D.C. Considering how close Washington D.C. is to many of the most active sports hubs in America, it's no wonder that D.C. residents are some of the most dedicated and intelligent online gamers in the country. Sites such as those reviewed here appreciate the presence of smart, intuitive sports fans that enjoy betting not only on their home teams, but on a variety of sports that call on their followers to be intelligent, aware, and alert. That describes D.C. players to a T!
