Washington D.C. Sports Betting Promos 2026 | Best DC Sportsbooks

Washington DC Sportsbook Rating Criteria

At Livescore, our approach is simple. We evaluate each top sportsbook promo the way an actual bettor would, looking for anything that slows you down or reduces value. The criteria we rely on during this hands-on testing of Washington, D.C. betting sites are as follows: 

Licensing 

If a sportsbook lacks proper authorization, your funds and personal data are immediately at risk with no recourse. We confirm every recommended operator is fully licensed, adhering to the strict consumer protection standards set by the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG). This ensures fair play and accountability across the board. 

Player Safety

A sportsbook that fails to make its users feel secure is sending its traffic away to competitors. This is what all D.C. online sportsbooks on our list utilize utilize high-grade SSL encryption, withdrawal verifications, and clear data policies for anyone to read. These not only protect you against digital fraud but also ensure timely withdrawals. 

Bonuses and Promotions 

D.C. Bettors won't know how good a site really is if they never register on it, which is where bonuses and promotions come in. We track how realistic the wagering requirements are, how deadlines work, and how well each offer is explained. DC betting sites that keep terms understandable and achievable naturally rank better.

Competitive Odds Pricing

Every fraction of a point matters because poor odds cut directly into your long-term profits on every single winning. We check prices for moneylines and spreads across all major DC sportsbook apps and compare them to the industry standard. This way, you get more value for every bet you place, helping build your bankroll. 

Betting Menu and Market Depth

Sportsbooks with a limited menu force you to register on multiple platforms in search of niche markets. So, we not only review the depth in terms of betting options but also the variety of Washington, D.C. sports coverage that a platform offers, ensuring the book offers not just the big four leagues, but also local college games and international futures. 

Washington, D.C. Sports Betting Laws and Regulations

Sports betting in Washington, D.C. officially came to life with the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018, signed into law by the D.C. Council and approved by Congress in early 2019. This act allowed both online and retail betting, regulated by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG), which not only oversees licensing but also operates sports betting services. At launch, the district functioned under a single-app monopoly with GambetDC, but the system later expanded, opening the door for up to seven online operators.

Today’s DC sports betting market includes four main retail sportsbooks in DC, located at major venues: Capital One Arena, Nationals Park, Audi Field, and Northwest Stadium. To see how these changes unfolded over time, check out the timeline below:

December 2018: The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 is passed by the D.C. Council.

May 2019: Congress gives its approval, enabling D.C. to move forward with regulated sports betting.

March 2020: The first mobile wagering app, run by the DC Lottery, goes live.

2021: Caesars opens a retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena, making in-person betting real

2022: FanDuel opens its sportsbook at Audi Field, joining other major venues.

2024: New Class C mobile licenses are issued, expanding the number of regulated apps within the state. 

D.C. residents must be 18 or older to place a legal sports wager on any matchups involving District of Columbia teams. D.C. law permits wagering on professional leagues, major collegiate competitions, and international events. However, the OLG strictly prohibits betting on DC college sports teams regardless of where the game is played. 

District of Columbia Sports Betting News

July 25, 2025 – D.C. sportsbooks recorded a record monthly handle of $55.9 million, producing $5.6 million in gross gaming revenue. That’s more than double the same month last year. 

July 22, 2025 – ESPN BET officially went live in D.C., following a market-access deal with Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Making it the sixth entrant in the competitive D.C. betting market. 

November 20, 2025 – BetMGM expanded across the district after the D.C. Council approved the FY2025 budget and removed old limits on mobile betting near Nationals Park. For DC residents, it simply means they can now use BetMGM almost anywhere in the city.

Washington D.C, Sports Betting Tax Information

Any winnings earned while gambling in D.C. are considered taxable income by the IRS, and you must report them annually. The reporting threshold for the operator to issue an IRS Form W-2G is generally $600 or more. The state also requires you to report these winnings as part of your overall income, with your personal tax bracket. 

Operators in Washington, D.C., pay a sportsbook tax rate on their gross gaming revenue. According to D.C.’s Sports Wagering Tax, private operators fall into different classes: Class A and B operators are taxed at 20 and 10 respectively, and Class C at 30%.  That money is used by the District to support local services and oversight.

Washington DC Sportsbook Bonuses and Promo Codes

Due to high operator tax and limited market competition, the bonuses at Washington, D.C. sports betting sites tend to be more conventional than in bigger markets. Yet they manage to not only attract new bettors but also reward regular play through timely deals. Here are the popular promos and offers you’ll find on D.C. sportsbooks:

DC Bet and Get Offers 

These Washington DC sportsbook bonuses reward a small qualifying wager with a package of bonus bets, often paid out whether that first ticket wins or loses. They’re helpful for new bettors slowly building a balance. However, the main drawback is short expiration timelines, so we look at how long you have to use the credits and whether the bonus can be divided across multiple wagers.

DC First Bet Insurance

A refund on a losing opening wager can be useful, but the bonus is typically given as DC bet credits, which have limited flexibility. When assessing this type of offer, we check how large the refund can be and whether it must be used in one bet or several.

Odds Boosts and Special Promos

Odds boosts on big games and special team promos give slightly better prices on sides or props you were likely to bet on anyway. For Washington, DC betting promos like these, we compare the boosted line to standard odds at other books to confirm it genuinely improves your potential payout.

Parlay Insurance Promos in DC 

Parlay insurance gives you a refund in site credit if one leg of a qualifying parlay loses, which helps ease the blow on higher-risk tickets. It mainly suits bettors already comfortable building 3–5 leg slips at reasonable stakes. For these DC sportsbook promos, we look at how many legs must hit, the maximum refund, and whether the payback arrives as usable credits or restrictive tokens.

Loyalty Rewards

Unlike other DC online sportsbook offers, loyalty programs don't give you quick results. You earn points for every wager, eventually converting them into bonus bets, merchandise, or small account boosts. Here, we check point-earning speed, expiration rules, and whether rewards can be redeemed without complex terms. 

Popular Sports To Bet on in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., isn’t a huge market, but it has very specific habits. Local betting trends often reflect what’s easiest to track, and that’s why most activity on Washington, D.C. online sportsbooks comes from pro leagues with steady coverage. Here is a breakdown of popular sports and their betting trends in D.C.: 

Football 

Many new bettors start with betting on Washington Commanders games because the NFL is easier to understand and offers straightforward markets. Division matches often draw extra interest because they provide clearer form comparisons, making spreads and moneylines easier to evaluate. In fact, plenty of NFL fans in DC now respond to the Commanders’ frustrating fourth-quarter declines by live-betting totals or betting against them in the moment.

Ice Hockey

NHL betting in DC works differently as the years of playoff runs have built a sense that this team usually shows up. Washington Capitals betting stays steady throughout the year, especially during games at Capital One Arena. Many bettors place live bets on periods, taking advantage of in-arena mobile access. Anytime goalscorer prop and puck line are among the most popular bets, keeping wagers practical without digging through complex analytics.

Basketball 

Given the team's long-term struggles, Washington Wizards betting is dominated by prop wagering rather than traditional moneyline bets or future markets. DC bettors focus more on pace, recent scoring form, and injury news to decide between overs and unders. This strategy allows them to capitalize on the high-scoring nature of the NBA games and avoids tying capital to the Wizards' final score. 

Baseball 

In baseball, Nationals betting markets reward patience more than adrenaline. Early in the year, some bettors quietly take small futures on win totals or divisional finishes, then shift to moneylines and first‑five‑inning bets once pitching patterns start to settle. The retail sportsbook at Nationals Park causes the live run-line odds to change quickly, making in-game betting very active and full of chances to find good value.

Soccer 

D.C. United has a passionate fan base, and the most common bet isn’t on the outright winner but the “Both Teams to Score” market. MLS games in DC often have unpredictable, high-scoring finishes, making this bet a reliable way to earn profits regardless of which team wins. While MLS Cup betting odds get attention, most DC bettors focus weekly on goal probabilities rather than complex final result handicaps.

College Sports

Because DC college sports betting rules limit wagering on local programs, most people follow DC college teams for passion but place bets on out-of-state schools. Many bettors instead look to nearby Maryland and Virginia programs or nationally televised games for spreads, totals, and simple props. The inability to find local college lines on any legal app within the District lines forces the market to adapt. 

Daily Fantasy Sports In the District of Columbia

Washington, D.C., fantasy sports apps are completely legal and operate under laws separate from traditional sports betting. The main benefit of this is the freedom to play DFS contests anywhere in the District without worrying about the geo-fencing that restricts mobile sportsbook apps near stadiums.

The major DFS operators in DC, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and PrizePicks, offer two main contest types. The traditional “Salary Cap” format lets you build a lineup of players while staying under a set budget, whereas the newer "Pick'em" style is more straightforward; you just pick whether players' stats will go over or under certain numbers, making it a fun way to engage with District of Columbia Teams

DFS plays differently than traditional betting, since you’re competing against other people instead of a sportsbook. So, if you’re new, start with single-entry contests; they level the field and help you avoid blowing half your budget on a huge GPP you’re unlikely to beat.

How To Bet on Sports in Washington D.C.

Follow this step-by-step guide to get started with betting on sports in the District of Columbia today:

1) Choose a sportsbook from the options listed on this page. Pick one of the legal Washington DC betting sites so you know your account, payouts, and personal information are protected under law.

2) Next, create your account and complete identity verification. Keep your ID nearby because licensed platforms verify age and location before letting you access live DC betting markets.

3) Then, deposit money using the method you’re most comfortable with. Many apps support cards and bank transfers, while some also accept crypto payments at DC sportsbooks for quicker processing.

4) Review the available promotions before placing any wagers. A quick look at the DC sportsbook bonuses can help you understand which offers actually fit your budget and betting style.

5) Finally, pick a game, choose your bet type, and place the wager. Make sure your device’s location services are on so the app can confirm you’re inside the District before your bet is accepted.

Mobile DC Betting Apps

In 2025, having a mobile app is no longer viewed as an added feature for a sportsbook; it’s a non-negotiable. As more and more bettors move to smaller screens, they prefer controlling their wagers directly from their fingertips. The good news is that DC Betting apps are fully legal, secure, and easily available on the App Store, Google Play, or directly from sportsbook websites. 

Mobile betting in the District of Columbia comes packed with helpful features like push notifications, live stats, real-time updates, and exclusive bonuses that improve the betting experience. Remember, DC bettors must be inside District lines and away from stadium exclusion zones when placing bets to comply with local regulations. 

Key Features to Watch for in Top DC Mobile Sportsbooks: 

• Low-latency  live betting – The app must update odds instantly during the game, especially if you are close to an exclusion zone

• Reliable geo-location stability –  Consistent, fast location pings are necessary to avoid frustrating lag that prevents you from placing a time-sensitive bet.

• Fast, secure deposits & withdrawals – Multiple payment options, including bank transfers and e-wallets, make managing your funds easier.

• User-friendly interface – Smooth navigation allows you to place bets, view open wagers, and track results efficiently.

Washington D.C. Betting Sites are Where the Capital Bets 

The U.S. capital hosts a highly accessible, and competitive sports betting market, bringing the best operators directly to your phone. While the market is still relatively new, its high-value odds, rewarding bonuses and betting options are as good as some of the biggest national markets. 

However, the strict geolocation rules and lack of in-state college betting options can make things feel restrictive, but, the lawmakers are only expected to make things easy as time goes on. Get your foot in early and sign up with one of our recommended Washington D.C. betting sites to make profits right from the get go.