States / District of Columbia / Sports betting
Is sports betting legal in District of Columbia?
Yes. In DC, online and in-person sports betting are legal (as of Oct 11, 2026). Online and in-person betting launched 2020. Operators pay 20% GGR in tax.
| Channel | Status | Launched | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports (online) | Live | 2020 | Competitive | Launched 2020 as GambetDC, a DC Lottery monopoly mobile app run by Intralot; missed revenue targets badly (~$4.3M revenue vs. an $84M initial 4-year projection). OLG briefly made FanDuel the exclusive mobile subcontractor (GambetDC closed 2024-04-14, FanDuel app live 2024-04-15), then the Council's FY2025 Budget Support Act (D.C. Law 25-217, permanent; emergency predecessor effective 2024-07-15) opened the District to multiple citywide mobile operators and created a Class C license for operators partnering with DC sports teams. D.C. Code § 36-621.11; D.C. Code § 36-601.01 [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6] |
| Sports (retail) | Live | 2020 | Hybrid | Class A licenses (Capital One Arena, Audi Field, Nationals Park, St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena) permit on-site retail wagering plus a 2-block exclusionary zone; Class B covers other private retail venues with no exclusionary zone. Retail kiosks formerly run under GambetDC were taken over by Caesars in 2024 after GambetDC's shutdown. Wagering is barred on federal property within DC where federal law conflicts with it. D.C. Code § 36-621.01 et seq.; D.C. Code § 36-601.01 [7],[8],[9],[5],[10] |
Tax rate
| Rate | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20% GGR (total) | Aug 1, 2024 | Class A tier (venue-tethered operators, e.g. Caesars at Capital One Arena) — citywide mobile and retail.[11] |
| 10% GGR (total) | Aug 1, 2024 | Class B tier (other private operators/venues).[11] |
| 30% GGR (total) | Aug 1, 2024 | Class C tier (new license class for operators partnering with DC-based sports teams).[11] |
| 20% GGR (total) | Aug 1, 2024 | Class A tier.[11] |
Rules
- Minimum age to place a sports wager
- 18 · Secondary source; re-checked this audit against D.C. Code §§ 36-621.01, 36-621.02, which require CFO rules on age verification but do not themselves state a numeric age threshold (likely set in DCMR Title 30 implementing regulations, not reached this session). Status remains unconfirmed against primary text.[12]
- Wagering on college sports allowed at all
- Yes · "Sporting event" is defined to include "collegiate sporting or athletic event"; the exclusion for non-professional events applies only where a majority of participants are under 18.[13]
- Esports wagering allowed
- Yes[13]
- Online sports wagering available statewide (not tethered to premises)
- Yes · Before the 2024 amendment, mobile wagering was tethered to GambetDC (statewide monopoly) or, for Class A/B retail licensees, limited to on-premises/2-block zones.[2]
Licensed sportsbooks
| Operator | Brand | Channel | Status | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | BetMGM | Sports (online) | active | [14] |
| Caesars Entertainment | Caesars Sportsbook | Sports (online) | active | [14] |
| DraftKings | DraftKings | Sports (online) | active | [14] |
| Fanatics Betting and Gaming | Fanatics | Sports (online) | active | [14] |
| FanDuel | FanDuel | Sports (online) | active | [14] |
| Caesars Entertainment | Caesars Sportsbook | Sports (retail) | active | [5] |
| S&S U Street | Sports (retail) | active | [14] |
All gambling laws in District of Columbia → · Sports betting in every state →
Sources
- D.C. Code § 36-621.02. Regulations. · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- D.C. Code § 36-621.11. Mobile and on-line sports wagering. · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- DC Bets on FanDuel for Its Sports-Gambling App, Folds on GambetDC · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- GambetDC Officially Announces Plans to Shutter · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Caesars Sportsbook Kiosks Replace GambetDC Kiosks in Washington DC · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- DC Council votes to open up sports betting market · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- D.C. Code § 36-621.01 (Sports Wagering, Subchapter II) — legislative history · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- D.C. Code § 36-621.05. Sports wagering licenses. · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- D.C. Code § 36-621.17. Conflict with federal law. · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Caesars Sportsbook To Take Over DC Sports Betting Kiosks · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 — tax rates · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Washington DC Sports Betting · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- D.C. Code § 36-601.01. Definitions. · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- DC Office of Lottery and Gaming - Sports Wagering Approved Licenses · retrieved Oct 10, 2026