Washington DC

Online Gambling & Casinos in Washington DC

Due to legal restrictions, players from the District of Columbia have historically had to go out of state to enjoy land-based casino gambling. This often meant a drive to West Virginia, New Jersey (Atlantic City), or Maryland – rarely practical!

iGaming jurisdiction-wide in DC is illegal except for online sports betting, run by the DC Lottery. Unfortunately, you can forget about poker rooms, slot machines, Vegas-style table games, or anything along those lines. Frustratingly, there has been no indication that land-based casinos, or online casinos, will be on the Legislative agenda any time soon.

This has left players in Washington DC with little option but to visit offshore online gambling establishments, like the ones we recommend below. We invite you to continue reading more about the state of gambling in Washington DC and learn about the best new casinos & bonuses.

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Best New Casinos in Washington DC

Given the absence of any tribal or commercial casinos, it’s no wonder that players from Washington DC look to offshore online casinos to fill in the void. Here, players can find Bitcoin casinos that accept USD, offer terrific bonuses, a wide assortment of games, and more.

Topping up a player account is safe and secure with modern technology. Credit cards are often the preferred method for players looking to deposit in USD. However, cryptocurrency casinos like the ones recommended below accept Bitcoin and altcoins like Ethereum and Litecoin.

DC players will find that the casinos we recommend offer games from leading providers like Visionary Gaming (ViG), Realtime Gaming, and Rival Games. All casinos offer online slot machines, popular table games, video poker, and most offer live dealer games.

Regular players can often qualify for perks, including Comp Points, VIP programs, tournaments, reload bonuses, free spins bonuses, and more. Find out what makes our recommended operators below the best new casinos in Washington DC.

Best Bonuses in Washington DC Casinos

All online casinos offer bonuses, but not all are equally generous. The best bonuses in Washington DC casinos, like the ones below, provide more bonus money, better bonus T&Cs, and lower rollover wagering requirements. Find out what you’ve been missing.

Washington DC Gambling Overview

The District of Columbia has long been restrictive with its gambling laws. There are no legal casinos in Washington DC. In fact, the closest is located in Charles Town, West Virginia. However, sports betting is legal, making DC the first jurisdiction to allow it but not casino gambling. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse or dog races is strictly prohibited. This is also true of video lottery terminals (VLTs).

Although fantasy sports contests are not explicitly authorized or regulated, they are tolerated in the District of Columbia. The argument for the continued lenience is that they are games of skill rather than chance. This means that players from DC can find operators like DraftKings, Yahoo!, CBS Sports and FanDuel. For what it’s worth, the state does allow social casino websites.

Participation in illegal gambling activities within Washington DC is considered a misdemeanor. This is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, 6 months in prison, or both.

Charitable Gaming

Charitable gaming, including Monte Carlo nights (Texas Hold’em and other house-banked games), bingo, and raffles, must be licensed by The Office of Lottery and Gaming. Non-profit organizations from Virginia and Maryland can also apply to offer raffles in DC. An organization must be a non-profit, have 20 active members, be authorized by its constitution, and have been in existence for at least one year. In all, charitable gaming licenses have generated over $134m for the District of Columbia.

State Lottery

The DC lottery began in 1982 and is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). This means that players from Washington DC can participate in Mega Millions and Powerball draws, often reaching payouts of astronomical amounts. Additionally, it also offers local draw games, scratchers, and keno. The state lottery also promotes a second chance contest.

The Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) is the regulatory body that oversees all gambling, including the state lottery. Tickets can be purchased at authorized land retailers. This includes liquor stores, drug stores, coffee shops, grocery stores, and convenience stores.

Lottery winnings are considered income and subject to federal and district taxes. Winnings exceeding $600 are reported to the IRS, while winnings exceeding $5,000 are subject to withholding taxes.

Online Sports Betting

Intralot was contracted in 2019 to be the sole provider of the sports betting app in Washington DC. Online sports betting is overseen by the DC Lottery through its GambetDC platform. Presently, the only land-based and in-person location to participate in sports betting is William Hill Sportsbook, located at the Capital One Arena. Players within a 2 block radius of the Arena can also use the William Hill mobile app.

In July 2021, the OLG launched self-service kiosks located at retail establishments like restaurants and bars. There are also some pending applications from sportsbook providers like BetMGM and FanDuel. All operators must pay a 10% state tax on revenue.

Washington DC Gambling History

It wasn’t until 1982 that Washington DC legalized the first modern form of gambling. This was the state lottery, alongside charitable gaming.

Very little that can be considered eventful happened over the following two decades until 2011. This was when The Washington DC Council formally authorized the selling of online lottery tickets. Unfortunately, it was rescinded (along with casino games and online poker) a year later, making tickets available, once again, only at land-based authorized lottery retailers.

In December 2018, The DC Council Voted 11-2 To authorize sports betting at arenas, stadiums, and establishments like restaurants and liquor stores. In May 2019, The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 went into effect, which allowed the DC Lottery to launch a sports wagering app and website.

In FY 2020, GambetDC app sports betting revenue was disappointing, returning a dismal $352,000 in tax in revenue. This was a far cry from the projected $9.6 million. The introduction of legal sports betting was hampered by lawsuits, technical glitches, and ethical questions alongside the impact of the pandemic. Also, some players have complained about the lower payouts compared to William Hill, which currently operates the only private sportsbook in DC.

Washington DC Gambling FAQ

What is the legal gambling age in Washington DC?

The legal gambling age in Washington DC is 18 and over.

Does Washington DC have land-based casinos?

No, Washington DC does not have any land-based casinos.

Can I participate in pari-mutuel wagering in Washington DC?

Unfortunately, pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog racing is unauthorized and therefore not available.

Can I find online sports betting in Washington DC?

Yes, the DC Lottery offers online sports betting through GambetDC. Retail sports betting is available via the William Hill sportsbook located at the Capital One Arena. Players within a couple of blocks of William Hill can also use the William Hill mobile app.

What are the legal forms of gambling in Washington DC?

Currently, Washington DC legally allows sports betting, charitable gaming, and a state lottery.

Conclusion

Washington DC can hardly be confused for a gambling-friendly state. Still, it did show signs of relaxing the laws a little when it authorized online and land-based sports betting. However, other forms of interactive gaming, including online casinos, seem a long shot in the short term.

Still, some players from Washington DC have shown an unwillingness to wait, choosing to play at offshore online casinos. You can find our choice of the best new casinos in Washington DC and the best bonuses above. Since we try to update our page regularly, visit us again soon for the latest developments in Washington DC gambling.