Washington DC Online Casinos and Gambling Sites in 2024

Land-Based Casinos in Washington / District of Columbia

There are no land-based casinos in D.C. Commercial casinos are banned, and there are no tribal casinos present. 

Anyone found to be operating a casino or casino games “shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of not more than 5 years” (Code of DC, Ch 17 § 22–1704)

MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino is the closest land-based gambling venue to D.C. It is located at Oxon Hill, eight miles from Capitol Hill.

Horse & Dog Tracks

Horse racing betting is not regulated in D.C, and there are no racetracks or simulcast facilities. The closest racetrack to The District is Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD.

You cannot bet on dog racing, either. There are no greyhound tracks in the district.

In fact, the state has become the home of many disowned greyhounds from West Virginia, where the sport still takes place.

Congress has been trying to push through The Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 3894) to ban betting on dogs both domestically and overseas. (H.R. 3894)

Online Sports Betting

The District of Columbia approved a bill to legalize sports betting in 2018.

However, as of 2024 only two commercial sportsbooks operate in the capital. Caesars Sportsbook is built into the Capitol One Arena, while BetMGM is at Nationals Park.

You can use the sportsbook apps within a block or two of both establishments. However, GambetDC remains the only state-wide sportsbook in DC. 

The DC Lottery oversees licenses for sports betting and online wagering (DC Code, Ch 6, § 36–621.01).

The only other option for online sports betting in the state is to use an offshore casino site.

Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling

The D.C. Lottery regulates bingo and deems it to be charitable gambling.

The board can regulate licensed retailers of Lottery tickets and pay cash prizes. The lottery pays out 50% of annual sales in prize money, totaling $4.6bn to date.

The rest is spent on education, recreation and parks, housing, public safety, and senior and child services.

Bingo, raffles, and Monte Carlo night parties are only permitted for the purpose of charity fundraising. These nights are held on private premises, such as the American Legion on D St SE. 

DC Code §§ 22-1716 and 22-1717 provide that the only gambling allowed in the District of Columbia must be either conducted or regulated by the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board (CGCB).

Social Gaming at Home

DC’s state laws don’t actively ban anyone from playing poker or other card games at home with friends.

However, the law does make hosting a game of chance illegal (§ 22-1705). Social gaming at home is, therefore, a gray area in the district.

Most players stay on the side of the law by refusing to accept rakes and keeping prize pots well below $100.

Poker Rooms and Clubs

Poker is also illegal under the district’s state code.

In 2009 the Attorney General considered whether poker was a sufficient game of “skill” to be granted an exception under the Code of DC, § 36–641.01.

It was deemed that: “The Poker Club’s proposal to operate for-profit poker games in an ABC-licensed establishment is illegal under District law.” (AL-09-591)

The closest in-person poker pit to the capital is the MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino at Oxon Hill, MD.

Eight-Liners

Slot machines are illegal in Washington DC and law enforcement is required to destroy any “gambling device” if they are recovered.

Only “historic” slot machines built before 1952 are permitted in the state, but they cannot be used. (§ 22–1704)

Casino Cruises

The Potomac River forms DC’s western border but no casino cruises operate in its waters. 

Online Slots

Slot games are only available via out-of-state gambling sites.

You can spin hundreds of real money slot games on your phone, tablet, or desktop computer from anywhere in the district.

These sites are the only option for residents, as no land-based providers are available either.

Offshore online casinos use internationally renowned software developers to provide elite-level games.

Enjoy features like free spins, wilds, mega jackpots, and VIP experiences.

Online Poker

Out-of-state poker sites have become the go-to option for card players in DC who can’t otherwise get in the game.

The state outlaws both in-person and online poker tournaments. Players have previously traveled to Delaware or West Virginia to play poker.

However, the growth of offshore options means you don’t have to leave your home! Access online poker tables and video poker games like Jacks or Better, Perfect Pairs, and more.

Blackjack

Blackjack is classed as a casino game of chance in D.C. and is, therefore, not permitted in the district.

The lack of tribal or commercial casinos means playing in person unless you drive to Oxon Hill, MD is impossible.

Instead, online casinos provide real-money blackjack games and live blackjack tables for all players, where you can virtually sit next to fellow gamers from around the world.

Live Dealer Games

If you want to play live dealer games online, out-of-state online casinos are your only option.

These sites use third-party providers who bring together the global community of gamers in one lobby.

That results in a broader range of titles, more exciting tournaments, and bigger payouts.

In contrast, live games such as baccarat, craps, and Sic Bo are only permitted in the state if they are part of a Monte Carlo night for charitable fundraising.

Players opt for offshore gambling sites online due to their convenience.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Washington DC?

Online gambling is only legal via three app-based sportsbooks.

Two of these sportsbooks can only be used within a few blocks of their in-person venues, at the Capitol One Arena and Nationals Park.

Online casino gaming is not permitted, so District of Columbia gamers usually opt to join out-of-state sites instead.

In Washington D.C., The Law Generally Prohibits Gambling

Gambling is defined as playing any game of chance for money or property and is generally outlawed by the district.

This can be any game of chance, such as cards, dice, and slots, as well as sports wagering on horses, dogs, and athletic contests.

DC’s gambling laws are outlined in § 22–1701 of the district’s Code. (Section § 22–1701 of the Code of the District of Columbia)

Casinos Are Not Permitted

There are no casinos in D.C.

The district’s code states no “house, vessel, or place, on land or water” is permitted to act as a gambling venue. Punishment is “imprisonment for a term of not more than 5 years”.

The only exceptions are charitable gambling venues and the two sportsbooks based in the state, which only offer sports betting. (Section § 22–1704 of the Code of the District of Columbia)

Tribal Casinos Cannot Operate In D.C.

Tribal casinos are not permitted in the District of Columbia.

The Johnson Act “prohibits the manufacture, possession, use, sale, or transportation of any “gambling device” in Indian Country, the District of Columbia, and possessions of the United States”. (Johnson Act)

Rule Against Nudge Games

The state does not permit games of chance such as “Nudge” or “Skill” video gaming machines, deeming them gambling devices.

A 2019 review by the Acting Deputy Attorney General found that “the games do not have a possible winning combination every time, then chance predominates over skill, and the machines are gambling devices.”(AL-18-604)

Gambling Promotion

The District permits gambling promotion only for activities approved and regulated by the Lottery.

This includes sports wagering, lottery, bingo, raffles, and Monte Carlo night parties. (Section § 22–1718 of the Code of the District of Columbia)

Set a Budget

We recommend always setting a budget when gambling online.

Only risk what you can afford and never chase big losses. Gambling is fun but also comes with a level of risk. We suggest you start small and place bigger bets when comfortable.

Join a Reputable Site

The best gambling sites are those that pass independently reviewed scrutiny and get top ratings from the casino community.

Check out our top-rated casinos that have passed extensive safety and security tests and created a loyal community of players.

Check The License

The state doesn’t have a regulated online casino industry, which is why we suggest offshore sites.

Look at the license your chosen site has and the regulations they are required to follow. Most reputable licenses are held in Curaçao, Europe, or Panama.

Get Security Guarantees

The District of Columbia ranks fifth among the safest states for cybercrime and identity theft. However, gamblers are encouraged to remain vigilant and practice smart gaming.

This means checking your casino site has 256-bit secure socket layering (SSL) encryption or Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption as standard. This will keep all your transactions secure.

Look for Transparency

Look for a site that is transparent in its T&Cs.

The best operators have easy-to-follow sign-up processes, understandable bonuses, and fair terms.

Little things like wagering requirements and withdrawal fees might not seem important right now, but they can significantly affect your gaming experience if they work against you.

Check Payment Options

Double-check that your ideal payment option is available at your chosen casino site. Options range from card payments and checks to crypto, wire transfers, and e-wallet deposits.

Look For Responsible Gambling

All our recommended sites provide players with responsible gambling resources.

Blogs, alerts, and self-exclusion mechanisms are available to each customer. We recommend reading advice on responsible gaming before you join any casino.