Online Gambling in Washington, D.C.: What You Need to Know
Washington, D.C., while not a state, has its own set of laws and regulations regarding gambling. The District of Columbia has taken a unique approach to online gambling compared to other U.S. jurisdictions, particularly due to its small geographical area and close proximity to neighboring states like Maryland and Virginia. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the legality and options for online gambling within the District.
Sports Betting is Legal and Operated by the District
In 2019, the D.C. Council legalized sports betting, and it is currently available both online and in-person. However, online sports betting is tightly controlled. The D.C. Lottery operates the primary mobile betting platform called GambetDC. It is the only mobile sportsbook allowed to operate city-wide due to its exclusive contract with the city.
GambetDC allows residents and visitors to place bets on professional and collegiate sports, but its performance has been criticized for lackluster odds and user experience compared to private operators.
Private Sportsbooks: Limited to Physical Location Zones
In addition to GambetDC, a few private sportsbooks like Caesars and BetMGM are allowed to operate mobile apps, but only within a two-block radius of their affiliated physical locations. For example, you can use the BetMGM app only when physically located near Nationals Park, and the Caesars app near Capital One Arena. These geofenced models are a unique characteristic of Washington, D.C.’s regulatory approach.
Casino Gambling is Not Legal Online or Offline
Washington, D.C. does not allow traditional casino gambling, either in brick-and-mortar form or online. This includes slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, and other table games. Unlike some states that offer regulated online casino games, D.C. has not legalized or proposed any legislation in that area.
As a result, residents looking to play casino games must either travel to nearby states like Maryland (which has physical casinos) or use offshore online casinos, which are not regulated or legal under U.S. federal or D.C. law and come with significant legal and financial risks.
Social and Sweepstakes Casinos
Although real-money casino gambling is not allowed, residents of D.C. can participate in social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. These platforms, such as Chumba Casino or LuckyLand Slots, use virtual currencies and offer sweepstakes-based models that are considered legal under promotional contest laws. Players can purchase virtual currency and have a chance to win redeemable cash prizes, skirting traditional gambling definitions.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily Fantasy Sports is a legal gray area in D.C., as there is no explicit legislation that either authorizes or bans it. Major DFS operators like DraftKings and FanDuel continue to accept players from Washington, D.C., and there have been no known enforcement actions against them.
Conclusion
Online gambling in Washington, D.C. is legal in a very limited form. Sports betting is permitted but heavily regulated, with most of the market controlled by a government-run platform. Online casino games remain illegal, and those looking for a broader range of gambling options must rely on travel to neighboring states or use alternative platforms like sweepstakes casinos. The regulatory environment remains cautious, and future expansion of online gambling laws in D.C. is uncertain.
