District of Columbia Sports Betting

Lotteries and private operators are allowed in sports venues, bars, restaurants, and taverns. The DC Lottery runs a mobile application across the District, excluding federal lands and within a two-block radius of sports facilities. Other operators, like sports venues, bars, and restaurants, have the authorization to provide on-site mobile services.

In December 2018, the DC Council passed the 2018 Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act (Bill 22-944), which amended DC gambling laws to permit land-based and online sports betting.

The DC Lottery operates a mobile application throughout the District, except on federal lands and within the two-block radius of a sports facilities. Other operators, such as sports facilities, bars, and restaurants are permitted to offer on-site mobile. DC Lottery launched the GambetDC app in May 2020. The first retail bets came through in August 2020 at the William Hill sportsbook located in Capital One Arena. Operators are prohibited from offering wagers on college games involving D.C.-based teams, collegiate sports events that take place within D.C. and all high school sports events.

Caesars Sportsbook and BetMGM each launched their online sports wagering apps in 2020 and 2021 respectively to take the total to three in DC.

In October 2021, DC Lottery opens kiosks at four restaurant in the district.

Grand Central Restaurant & Bar became the first Class B license to open an onsite sportsbook.