Washington DC Gambling
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Last Updated: Washington D.C. gambling has not had a long or glorious history. The lottery aside, the nation’s capital has been one of the few jurisdictions in the country that doesn’t feature a brick-and-mortar gaming facility like casino or race track, even as approximately 1,000 such facilities have opened across America in the past few decades.
Smaller in size than any of the 50 states and subject to oversight from a federal government that has historically had a tepid relationship with gambling at best, D.C. is uniquely ill-equipped to become a competitive gaming market. When D.C. officials have pushed gambling, these moves have seemed to come with accusations of indecisiveness, impropriety or some combination of both, as exemplified by sports betting.
But this reputation has begun to change in the District, in part due to actions outside its borders. The MGM has collected millions of dollars from D.C. residents, money city officials hope to recoup in part through sports betting.
This has upped the proverbial ante to offer competing interests, and some day may compel councilmembers to once again take up the mothballed online gambling proposals.
This could spark further growth in one of the nation’s last remaining gambling deserts with impacts far beyond its borders.
Best Washington DC Online Casino Apps and Sites
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Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Exclusive McJackpots Active for Every GameClaim Daily Free Gold CoinsDaily & Weekly Tournaments AvailableGDCPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)iOS Casino AppYesTop Slot GameSugar RushCasino Games
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The number of jackpot slot games available4Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available0McLuck is an exciting social casino with a wide range of casino games available from industry giants like Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming, NetEnt, and more. New slots with special features like 'Hold and Win' are always being added to their growing portfolio. - 2
Established 2012Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.1,200+ Games, Slots & Live Dealer GamesFREE Daily RewardsAuthentic Brand, Made in the USAnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)iOS Casino AppYesTop Slot GameDa Vinci DeluxeWaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available1200Jackpot Slots
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The number of live casino games available0For a casino-style gaming experience without the cost, High 5 is the place to play. Launched in 1995 and available in the US, this social casino gives you the chance to play authentic 1,200+ online slot games for fun. - 3
Established 2022Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Over 500,000 Members and ClimbingExclusive Gold Coins Scratchcards AvailableCustomer Support Available 24/7not requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)iOS Casino AppYesTop Slot GameStarburstCasino Games
The total number of casino games available322Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available29Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available0Pulsz is a rapidly growing social casino that allows players to join regular promotions to claim free coins. There are also two progressive Gold Coin jackpots each week, with a minimum jackpot of GC 1,000,000. - 4
Established 2021Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Daily Login Bonuses AvailableCustomer Support Available 24/76-Tier Loyalty 'Star System'not requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)iOS Casino AppNoTop Slot GameStriking Hot 5Casino Games
The total number of casino games available714Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available0Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available0WOW Vegas is a highly reputable social casino that lets players purchase Gold Coins (WOW Coins) and win sweeps coins that can be redeemed for real-world prizes. Players will also find a myriad of slots available from popular providers like Betsoft and Pragmatic Play. - 5
Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate, T&Cs Apply.
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Established 2022Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
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Established 2023Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply.New Players Get 10,000+ Free Lucky Coins'5-Tier Players' Club with Exclusive PromosStart Playing with 4 Sweeps Coinsnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)iOS Casino AppNoTop Slot GameMummyland TreasuresCasino Games
The total number of casino games available207Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available1Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available1Sweepstastic is a lively social and sweepstakes casino that offers players daily bonuses and the chance to play with SC and win real-world prizes including cash, gift cards, and merchandise.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply.Weekly Raffles with SC PrizesEarn Free Stake Cash the More you PlayWin a Share of 50 Million GDC DailyGDCPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)iOS Casino AppNoTop Slot GameSweet BonanzaCasino Games
The total number of casino games available450Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available422Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available9Stakes.us is one of the more established social casinos that is always looking for new ways to entertain and reward players. They also have one of the widest collection of games available - from slots to poker.
Online Casino Gambling in Washington D.C.
Social Casino Offers Only Available
Washington D.C. has no legal online casino options so those looking for sites similar to New Jersey online casino apps would have to travel to neighboring states. Though it was technically the first jurisdiction in the country to approve games in real-money online casinos, elected officials repealed this authorization less than a year later. These games remain illegal now and for the foreseeable future.
The D.C. Council approved online casino games in 2011, but these same officials reversed their decisions over public outcry that the authorization measure wasn’t properly vetted. Though councilmembers said they would revisit the issue back in 2012, there have been few concerted pushes to do so.
The comparatively easy passage of online sports betting has reinvigorated online casino player’s hopes that these games may soon return to the District. In the meantime, residents can cross the Maryland state line and enjoy a full repertoire of casino games at MGM National Harbor.
Social casinos are available, though, both on the internet or as an app and feature all the popular casino games, including slots, blackjack, video poker and roulette. It is free to play. While you cannot win money playing games at social casinos, the sites like WinStar, LuckyLand and Chumba casino typically offer sweepstakes (games of chance) with prizes that can include real money jackpots.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Washington D.C.
Offers Available
Daily Fantasy games are legal in Washington D.C. Top DFS sites such as FanDuel and DraftKings are operational, meaning players can set up lineups for their favorite sports from the comfort of home or work.
These games are also available in Virginia and Maryland, so commuters don’t have to worry about legality issues when crossing state lines. Sports betting, online casino gaming and internet-based poker have all been sources of frustrations for would-be bettors throughout the DMV, but they can at least take solace in the (comparatively) straightforward availability of daily fantasy sports games.
Online Poker in Washington D.C.
Not Legal
There are no legal online poker sites in Washington D.C. Much like online casino games, these real-money poker games have failed to gain much legislative traction in the District recently, creating a prohibition that is likely to stand for a while longer.
D.C. began a push for multiple online gambling options shortly after the federal government banned internet poker games in April 15, 2011 on what became known in the industry as “Black Friday.” While these games were banned under federal statutes, individual states were given leeway to pass bills of their own. Five states subsequently did so, and it appeared D.C. would as well. But the change of heart toward online casino gambling in 2012 extinguished momentum for poker as well.
With real-money online poker still not legal, Washingtonians will have to visit either the MGM or drive a few hours to one of a handful of additional casinos with poker in Maryland, West Virginia or Delaware.
Online Sports Betting in Washington D.C.
Waiting on Offers
Sports betting is legal in Washington D.C. When District residents can begin placing bets is less clear.
The D.C. City Council was one of the nation’s first legislative bodies to approve sports betting. With only 13 members in its legislature, as compared to the hundred (or more) in the 50 states, councilmembers could quickly advance a mobile sports wagering bill after the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban in May 2018. Mayor Muriel Bowser also supported the proposal, and it was ratified early in 2019.
It seemed D.C. residents and visitors would be able to place a bet before the start of the Washington Redskins 2019 season. Instead, the District will likely go the entire football season without legal betting -- and the timeline remains undefined for 2020. Follow Gambling.com for all the breaking details in the ongoing journey of legal sports betting in the nation’s capital.
The suspended rollout is partially because the council approved a controversial no-bid operating contract for sports betting that drew outcry from District watchdogs and gaming industry officials. This led to a prolonged review process that further stalled implementation for legal wagering in D.C.
Once operational, D.C. could become the first jurisdiction in the nation to take sports bets without any traditional brick-and-mortar gaming establishments. The city doesn’t have any casinos or horse tracks, so mobile and online wagering will be overseen and operated by the D.C. Lottery.
The lottery will almost assuredly take the bulk of the city’s sports betting dollars. Awarded a de facto monopoly by the council, the government-run lottery will have the only casino apps available across the District. Shutting out other full-scale competitors has further angered gaming industry stakeholders who fear the lack of competition will bolster the lottery at the expense of bettors.
That doesn’t mean the pending D.C. Lottery-run sports betting app will be the only game in town. Large sporting venues such as Capital One Arena, home to the Washington Wizards and Capitals, can operate sportsbooks within their facilities. Individual bars and restaurants can also apply to take sports bets, and several have done so.
D.C. sports betting is coming with a variety of options. What that market will look like, and when it begins, remains to be seen.
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