Best Washington DC Sportsbooks

In Washington DC, sports betting sites is truly alive and kicking. The nation’s capital legalized both retail and online sports betting in late 2018. However, that does not mean that Washington DC sportsbooks can operate as they please. Every sportsbook operator must comply with strict standards set out by the district lottery control board before accepting any bets.

Sports betting enthusiasts rush to approved locations like hotels, bars, major sporting locations, and restaurants to make their wagers. Online sports betting has also increased within the capital, and we understand it can be overwhelming at first.

Don’t worry; we’ve got this. Our detailed guide put together by our team of leading experts will point everyone in the right direction to find the best Washington DC sportsbooks.

Not only will we look into key aspects of what makes a great sportsbook, such as payment methods, for example, but we’ll also share our most trusted tips and methods so you may gain a wealth of valuable knowledge.

Before we kick off, we must first share all the legalities around online sports betting so that everyone can understand their rights.

Washington DC Sports Betting Legalities

Washington was one of the first adopters of legal sports betting in the US. Betting on sports was against federal law in most of the US from 1992. On May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court nullified the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). 

Each state was given the right to decide whether sports betting should be available and legal within its borders. In Washington DC, the city council regulates industries, including sports betting.

In December 2018, Washing DC council members voted to legalize sports betting with the Wagering Lottery Amendment Act 2018. The act was officially signed and formally launched regulated sports betting in 2020.

The government-regulated app for sports betting in DC can only be accessed within a radius of the affiliated stadium. However, we suggest one of our trusted online sportsbooks as the best option for sports bettors intending to participate in district-wide mobile betting.

The Office of Lottery and Gaming in Washington DC

The Office of Lottery and Gaming in Washington DC oversees all aspects of online and retail sports betting. The main goal of the Office of Lottery and Gaming is to protect all citizens from fraudulent businesses. 

The Office of Lottery and Gaming ensures the region’s highest degree of conduct and integrity of online sportsbooks. The office grants all licenses to online sportsbooks. It also monitors all online sportsbooks to operate within specific strict standards, and only operators that comply with stringent licensing criteria are granted permission to operate.

Knowing this, all online gamblers can be assured that they play under the protection of the Office of Lottery and Gaming if they gamble with a regulated online sportsbook within the district. 

What is the Minimum Gambling Age in Washington DC

Within the state, gambling is allowed for any person over 18 years. This includes retail and online sports betting.

Gambling underage is not just illegal in Washington DC. It also has serious consequences. Underage gambling is considered a civil fraction in Washington DC. Penalties include, but are not limited to, a fine of $125, court costs and a forfeiture of all winnings, and community service.

Washington DC Gambling Tax Laws

Washington DC doesn’t collect tax on gambling activities but allows counties, towns, and local cities to tax gambling receipts.

Players may be taxed 5% of net receipts on bingo winnings, 20% of gross receipts on cardroom winnings, 10% on charitable receipts, 5% on commercial receipts, and 2% of net receipts on amusement games which cannot exceed the actual costs for enforcement.

How We Find the Best Washington DC Sportsbooks

Okay, great, we’re ready to start betting on sports online. That’s fantastic! So, where do we start? This is where our experts have done the work and done extensive evaluations on real money sportsbooks open to Washington DC players to provide only the cream of the crop to you.

We have researched all major and minor factors that bookies should possess to ensure we have all the knowledge needed before making our recommendations. Among our list, you are sure to find a bookmaker that will tick all of your boxes and suit your gambling habits.

Security and Legitimacy is Highest Priority

When we evaluate the sportsbooks available in Washington DC, the first factor we consider is what the player’s privacy and security systems are. We take the time to determine whether the terms and conditions of use and privacy policies are fair.

Additionally, we investigate whether a verified and legitimate authority licenses the brand. This is crucial for any sportsbook – the license governs the operations of the bookie and protects both the player and the company. 

Another important aspect is the level of encryption used. Our sites all have valid SSL certificates. The level is on the same level, and sometimes higher, as used at major banks.

What Payment Facilities are Available?

One of the essential elements of a good sportsbook is the payment facilities and processing times on offer. As our team is diverse and each of the experts has preferences, just as the range of gamblers in DC varies, we consider the different payment varieties.

The best bookies will provide traditional MasterCard and Visa options but will have a range of payments from e-wallets to bank transfers and a cryptocurrency or two as well. Bitcoin has become an increasingly common payment method amongst offshore sportsbooks. PayPal, Skrill and Neteller are also commonly used by sports bettors. Our trusted sportsbooks all use reliable, secure, and reputable payment facilities to ensure streamlined and safe transactions for players.

Additionally, we factor in transaction times. Many operators provide quick turnaround for deposits; however, withdrawing can be a headache. This is where our team has saved our readers the pain. The bookies that our team has recommended have been tested and passed our quality checks. One of these checks is the speed at which we received our withdrawal. We are happy to report that we had no delays or extended waiting times to celebrate our winnings.

There is plenty of demand for PayPal betting sites, Skrill betting sites, Neteller betting sites, Bitcoin betting sites and crypto betting sites within the industry and we have found the best for you in DC.

What Markets and Betting Options Are Available?

What is a sportsbook if there isn’t an array of betting options and markets? Our team ensures that the brands we suggest have a wide variety from football to soccer, baseball to cricket, skiing to wrestling.

Not only are these sports and markets tested, we compare the odds to major and minor competitors and select the ones that are competitive. Additionally, we factor in in-game bets, props, accumulators, moneylines, and every type of bet in between. We enjoy having a variety of options for our wagers.

In Washington DC, we have found sportsbooks that specialize in each of the following sports:

• NFL Sportsbooks
• NBA Sportsbooks
• MLB Sportsbooks
• NHL Sportsbooks
• March Madness Sportsbooks
• NCAA Sportsbooks
• Super Bowl Sportsbooks
• Golf Sportsbooks
• Soccer Sportsbooks
• Tennis Sportsbooks
• Horse Racing Sportsbooks
• Boxing Sportsbooks
• UFC Sportsbooks

Customer Service

While we recommend trusted sites for sports betting, we all could use a helping hand once in a while. This is especially true when we are dealing with real money. Bookies must have friendly and available service operators that can be of assistance at any time we need.

We have put our brands to the test by utilizing live chat features, email queries, and telephone lines to evaluate the service delivery from the operators. Friendliness, professionalism, and being knowledgable are requirements set by our expert team when testing the Washington DC sportsbooks. 

Not only do our trusted sites fit the bill, but the service team also resolves all queries within a reasonable time and without hesitation. This gives us the confidence needed to spend our time on their sites. 

Final Thoughts

By reading this article and following the points above, you should feel more at ease and comfortable playing online with the best Washington DC sportsbooks. From understanding the laws in the state to knowing the tax implications, our guide covers all the important information for playing online in Washington DC.

When using one of our trusted operators, you can rest assured they have passed the stringent quality tests that our experts have carried out. Knowing the sites are secure, licensed, fair, and reliable, you can feel at ease.

FAQs

1. Is Betting on Sports Legal in DC?

Yes, it is. Sports betting is legal within the city limits and in the District of Columbia. DC Lottery launched sports betting application as the only district-wide online sportsbook permitted under the May 2020 law to operate. Subsequently, three retail sportsbooks have opened their doors to accept sports bets.

2. Who Regulates Sports Betting in DC?

The DC Lottery oversees all activities relating to sports betting. The commission is the regulator for the district and maintains veto power and oversight over all and any developments within DC sports betting.

3. Can Anyone Apply For a DC Sports Betting License?

Any business can apply for a license, but there are significant restrictions. There’s only one mobile app allowed within the district. Four major stadiums in Washington DC (or Class A license holders) are permitted to have an online application beyond the stadiums’ limits. All other businesses that wish to offer sports betting can only do so within their property. It must be noted that there are no restrictions on the type of business that provides sports betting as long as sports betting isn’t the only business that takes place on-site.

4. What is the Minimum Age Sports Betting Washington DC?

You need to be at least 18 years of age to place a bet with an online sportsbook. Some retail sports betting operators may require their patrons to be 21 years.

5. Is Betting on Daily Fantasy Sports Allowed in Washington DC?

Yes, it is. Online sportsbook operators actively provide daily fantasy sports (DFS) to visitors and residents in the district. At the moment, there is no clear-cut law that permits or bans DFS inside DC. 

6. Does Washington DC Have Online Sports Betting?

Yes, it has. Currently, there are three active applications in Washington DC. However, some are limited to accepting bets from sports bettors within a radius of roughly two blocks around their physical hubs in Washington DC. The DC Lottery sports betting application offers to gamble anywhere in Washington.

7. What Kind of Sports Can Be Bet on in Washington DC?

The are many popular sports include the NFL, the NBA, the MLB, the NHL, golf, NCAA basketball, and football, to name a few. Interestingly, betting on eSports is also becoming very popular. People are betting on players playing games like League of Legends.