Online casinos aren’t currently legal in Washington, D.C., so you won’t find licensed apps offering real-money slots or table games in the District.
However, some platforms operate under sweepstakes promotional models that let players enjoy casino-style games using virtual currencies while redeeming eligible winnings for cash prizes.
This guide explains how online casino gaming works in Washington D.C. in 2026, what’s legal under local gambling laws, and which sweepstakes casinos are available to players today.
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Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in Washington DC?
No. Real-money online casinos are not legal in Washington, D.C.
The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018, which took effect in 2019, legalized online sports betting but did not authorize online casino gaming. As of 2026, no legislation has been passed to change that status.
According to the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG), the agency oversees the lottery and licensed sportsbooks but does not issue licenses for online casino operators.
Apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars are legal in D.C. for sports betting only. While you can place wagers on teams like the Wizards or Nationals, real-money slots and table games aren’t permitted within the District.
D.C. Sweepstakes Casinos – Legality & How They Work
So if real-money online casinos aren’t allowed, are there any alternatives? Yes. Many players use sweepstakes casinos (often called social casinos), which are generally permitted in Washington, D.C. because they operate under promotional contest laws rather than traditional gambling regulations.
Instead of wagering cash directly, players use two types of virtual currency. Gold Coins (GC) are used for entertainment play and can’t be redeemed, while Sweeps Coins (SC) can be redeemed for cash prizes once a site’s requirements are met.
This promotional sweepstakes structure is designed to comply with existing D.C. gambling laws while still offering a casino-style gaming experience online.
Comparing the 5 Best Sweepstakes Casinos in Washington D.C.
Below is a comparison of the five sweepstakes casinos currently available to players in Washington, D.C. Each platform was evaluated based on factors like game selection, bonus value, redemption options, overall user experience, and reliability.
This quick breakdown highlights what each site offers, how they compare side by side, and which types of players they may suit best. By the end of this section, you should have a clearer idea of which D.C. online casino aligns with your preferences and play style.
| Sweepstakes Casino | No Deposit Bonus | First Purchase Bonus | Number of Games | Min. Redemption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WOW Vegas | 250,000 WC + 5.00 SC | 1.5 Million WC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 1,500+ | 25 SC |
| 2. McLuck | 7,500 GC + 2.50 SC | 100K GC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 1,500+ | 10 SC |
| 3. Stake.us | 250,000 GC + 25.00 SC | N/A | 2,000+ | ~50 SC (Depends on Price of Crypto) |
| 4. LoneStar | 100,000 GC + 2.50 SC | 125K GC for $24.99 + 50 FREE SC | 500+ | 45 SC |
| 5. Crown Coins | 100K CC + 2 FREE SC | 900K CC for $14.99 + 45 FREE SC | 500+ | 50 SC |
1. WOW Vegas Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 250K WOW Coins + 5 Sweeps Coins
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
WOW Vegas ranks among the top sweepstakes casinos available to players in Washington, D.C., thanks to its large game library and regular promotions. The platform offers more than 1,500 titles, including slots, live dealer games, scratch cards, and bingo.
Daily promos like Magic Mondays, Mega Wednesdays, and 10K Fridays add recurring bonus opportunities, while redemption times are generally reported as fast. The mobile site is optimized for both iOS and Android devices, making it easy to access games while playing on the go.
You can find a full breakdown of features, bonuses, and gameplay in our detailed WOW Vegas Casino review.
2. McLuck Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Offer: 120K GC + 60 Free SC + a chance to win 500 Free SC
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
McLuck is a popular choice among jackpot-focused players in Washington, D.C., thanks to its large collection of slot titles and progressive prize pools. The platform features more than 1,500 games, many of which include progressive jackpots across four tiers: Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand.
Because these jackpots continue growing until they’re won, prize totals can reach significant amounts, with larger payouts occasionally climbing into six-figure (or higher) SC ranges. The platform also offers a mobile experience designed for easy navigation across most devices.
You can find more information about the sweepstakes casino in our detailed McLuck review.
3. Stake.us Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash on Sign Up
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.5/5.0
Stake.us is a sweepstakes casino available to players in Washington, D.C., with a focus on cryptocurrency payment options.
The platform allows users to purchase Gold Coins using crypto and redeem eligible winnings directly to a supported crypto wallet, a feature not commonly offered across sweepstakes casinos.
Its game library includes more than 2,000 titles, covering traditional slots, live dealer games, and a collection of exclusive “Stake Originals” such as Plinko, Crash, Mines, and Dice. You can find more details about games, bonuses, and prize redemptions in our complete Stake.us review.
4. LoneStar Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Offer: 100K GC, 2.5 FREE SC, & 100% Match on 1st Purchase
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: Click to Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.0/5.0
LoneStar Casino puts a noticeable focus on customer support alongside its game selection. While many players tend to focus on bonuses or game variety first, having reliable help available can make a difference when questions come up.
The platform offers 24/7 support options and a library of more than 500 casino-style games, along with a first-purchase match bonus for new players. If you want a closer look at how the platform works, you can find a full breakdown of features, bonuses, and games in our detailed LoneStar Casino review.
5. Crown Coins Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 200% Match on 1st Purchase + 2 FREE SC at Sign Up
- 🎉 Promo Code: NONE NEEDED
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 3.8/5.0
Crown Coins Casino is geared toward players who prefer gaming on mobile devices, with dedicated apps available on both iOS and Android. The platform focuses on quick access to games and promotions without requiring a desktop setup, which can appeal to players who primarily play on their phones.
The site offers a library of more than 500 casino-style games, along with a no-deposit bonus for new users and a 200% match offer on a first purchase. You can find a full breakdown of games, features, and promotions in our full Crown Coins Casino review.
How We Rank the Best Washington DC Online Casinos
The casinos listed above are compared using a consistent set of factors focused on player experience and site reliability. Because real-money online casinos aren’t legal in Washington, D.C., this guide focuses on sweepstakes casinos that are available to local players and clearly explain how their platforms work.
When reviewing sites, the ATS.io team looks at:
- Bonus offers and ongoing promotions
- Game selection and overall variety
- Redemption options and requirements
- Mobile usability
- Customer support availability
Listings may be updated as platforms change features or promotions.
Washington D.C. Online Gambling: Timeline of News & Events
July 2025
A group of anonymous lawyers files suit against Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Fanatics using a 300-year-old statute that bars losses over $25. The case could be worth more than $300 million, but Mayor Muriel Bowser moves to shut it down with a budget provision making the law inapplicable to legalized sports betting.
May 2025
Mayor Muriel Bowser includes a proposal in her budget to legalize live poker and blackjack in Washington, DC. The plan is meant to create new revenue streams as the city adjusts to economic changes, with oversight handled by the Office of Lottery and Gaming.
October 2024
DC sportsbooks take in $65.8 million in bets, setting a new monthly high. FanDuel leads with nearly $37 million in handle, while DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars trail behind. Meanwhile, Fanatics makes its first full month count; the new DC sportsbook pulls in $2.2 million in wagers through its partnership with the Washington Spirit.
July 2023
DC scraps GambetDC after years of complaints and brings in FanDuel as its main mobile sportsbook. The upgrade transforms the market overnight, and other operators (DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and more) later follow with their own launches.
May 2020
The District accepts its first real-money wagers on sports through GambetDC, a city-run app operated by Intralot. Players complain about poor odds and a clunky design, leaving DC’s betting market lagging behind other states.
May 2019
Washington, DC passes legislation to allow retail and online sports betting under the Office of Lottery and Gaming. The law opens gives the green light to mobile sportsbooks, but not online casino gambling.
What Games Do Washington DC Online Casinos Offer?
Social and sweepstakes casinos in Washington, D.C. cover the same core games you’d expect from a traditional online gambling site. Here’s what you’ll find:
Slots
Plenty of variety here. Classic three-reel slots. Modern video slots with huge jackpots and other special features. There’s a little bit of both at most online casinos in DC.
Table Games
Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps are almost always available. Many Washington DC sites include a few different versions of each to choose from, too.
Video Poker
Simple rules, but definitely a good choice for strategy-minded DC players. Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild are some of the most common options you’ll see.
Live Dealer Games
Some Washington DC online casinos even stream real dealers for blackjack, roulette, or baccarat. It adds a more real casino feel and makes you feel like you’re actually in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
Specialty Games
Finally, there’s bingo, keno, scratch cards, crash games, and other specialty titles for you to check out. Quick to play and a nice way to change things up every now and then.
Washington D.C. Online Casino No Deposit Bonuses
One advantage of sweepstakes casino sites available in Washington, D.C. is that most offer new players a free no-deposit bonus, allowing you to try games without making a purchase.
This differs from states with legal real-money online casinos, where no-deposit offers are less common and typically limited to select promotions.
The reason comes down to how sweepstakes platforms operate. To comply with promotional contest rules, sites must provide a free method of entry. Many do this by awarding a small amount of free virtual currency when players create an account.
Below are some of the Washington D.C. online casinos currently offering no-deposit bonuses.
| 🎰 DC Online Casinos | 🎁 No Deposit Bonuses |
|---|---|
| 1. RealPrize | 100K Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins |
| 2. Mega Bonanza | 7,500 Gold Coins & 2.5 Sweeps Coins No purchase necessary. Not available in AL, CA, CT, DE, ID, KY, LA, MD, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, TN, WA, WV. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 21+. T&Cs apply. |
| 3. Stake.us | 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash on Sign Up |
| 4. High 5 Casino | 3 SC, 400 GC, & 300 Diamonds on Sign Up |
| 5. McLuck | 120K GC + 60 Free SC + a chance to win 500 Free SC |
| 6. Spree Casino | 25K Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins |
| 7. Moonspin | 60K Gold Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins Free |
| 8. PlayFame | 10,000 Gold Coins & 3 FREE SC |
| 9. WOW Vegas | 250K WOW Coins + 5 Sweeps Coins |
| 10. The Money Factory | 15,000 Gold Coins & 3 Sweeps Coins |
Looking for more details on how these promos work? Or want even more bonus deals to take advantage of? Check out our full guide to Washington D.C. online casino no-deposit bonuses. It covers everything in one place.
Deposits & Withdrawals at DC Online Gambling Sites
You can’t deposit or withdraw real money at online casinos in Washington, D.C. That’s because these sites run on a sweepstakes model.
That means you buy Gold Coins, and for every $1 you spend, you also get 1 free Sweeps Coin. And when it’s time to cash out, you don’t “withdraw.” You redeem your Sweeps Coin winnings for cash prizes.
The setup still feels pretty familiar, though, especially since the payment options are the same ones you’d see at a regular online gambling site. You’ve got:
Credit & Debit Cards
The easiest choice. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere, and your Gold Coins (and free SC) show up right away.
Bank Transfers
This is a good option if you’d rather pay straight from your bank. It’s secure, though prize redemptions can sometimes take a little bit longer than with other banking methods.
E-Wallets
PayPal, Skrill, and Venmo are also accepted at some DC online casinos. They make things quick and keep your card details private.
Cryptocurrency
Some Washington DC casino sites also take Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other similar coins. It’s extremely fast and usually comes with low fees.
How to Get Started at Washington DC Online Casinos
Getting started is typically quick, and the sign-up process looks almost the same no matter which D.C. online casino you choose to play at. Here’s what to do:
1. Pick a Sweepstakes Casino
Online casino gambling sites aren’t legal in Washington, D.C. For now, your main option is social casinos that use a promotional sweepstakes model.
2. Sign Up for a New Account
Visit the casino’s website (or download the app, if they have one) and fill out the registration form with some basic info. It usually only takes a minute or two.
3. Claim Your Welcome Offer
By clicking or tapping on the links we’ve provided near the top of this page, you’ll automatically qualify for your chosen site’s latest welcome offer.
Most sweepstakes casinos in Washington D.C. have free no-deposit bonuses (plus a 100% match on your first Gold Coin purchase) for you to enjoy.
4. Start Playing Games
Now for the fun part: playing the games. Start wherever you want: Slots. Table games. Video poker. Bingo. Keno. Scratch cards. Crash games. Instant-win titles. You’ll find it all.
5. Redeem Winnings for Real Money Prizes
When you play with Sweeps Coins, any winnings you collect can be redeemed for cash prizes or digital gift cards. The conversion rate is pretty simple: 1.00 SC = $1.00 in prizes.
How Do D.C. Online Casinos Compare to Neighboring States?
Washington D.C. doesn’t have legal online casinos right now, but things look a lot different once you step outside the city. The states around the District each set their own rules, so the contrast is pretty clear if you compare them side by side.
To see how D.C. stacks up against its neighbors, check out some of our state-by-state online gambling guides listed below:
- Delaware Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- Kentucky Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- Maryland Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- New Jersey Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- New York Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- North Carolina Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- Ohio Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- Pennsylvania Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- Tennessee Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- Virginia Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
- West Virginia Online Casinos & Gambling Sites
Other Legal Forms of Online Gambling in Washington D.C.
Real-money online casinos might not be allowed in the District, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. There are still a few legal ways to gamble on your phone or computer. Let’s run through them:
Sports Betting
Washington DC online sports betting has been legal since 2019 and went live the following year. At first, it was just GambetDC, which was run by Intralot through a partnership with the DC Lottery. And to put it politely, players weren’t impressed.
Things changed in 2024, though, when FanDuel replaced GambetDC as the main option. And the market has since expanded to include other big names like BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and Fanatics.
If you’re 18 or older and inside D.C., you can place bets on just about any major sporting event.
Horse Racing
Here’s where D.C. comes up a bit short. You can’t bet on horse races online, and you can’t do it in person either.
The law doesn’t allow wagers through ADW sites like TwinSpires, AmWager, DK Horse, or FanDuel Racing. And with no racetracks or OTBs in the District, your only option is to cross the border into Maryland or Virginia if you want to play the ponies.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports are legal in Washington, D.C. DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog Fantasy, PrizePicks, Sleeper, and other top DFS apps all accept players from the District. You only need to be 18 or older to sign up and compete in paid contests for cash prizes.
DC Lottery Games
The lottery has gone digital as well. Through the DC iLottery site or mobile app, you can buy tickets for DC-3, DC-4, DC-5, Lucky for Life, Powerball, and Mega Millions. You’ll also find e-Instant scratch-off games you can play online from anywhere inside the District.
Washington DC Land-Based Casinos
Right now, there aren’t any brick-and-mortar casinos in Washington, D.C. No commercial casinos. No tribal casinos. Not even a racetrack casino, bingo hall, or poker room.
The good news is you don’t have to go far. MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, is only about ten miles from downtown DC. Inside, you’ll find slot machines, live table games, poker rooms, a retail sportsbook, and plenty more.
A little farther north sits Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover, roughly 25 to 30 miles from the city. It offers pretty much the same gambling options — slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, and sports betting — just on a slightly bigger property.
Those two are the closest options for D.C. players. There are other land-based casinos in the region, like Horseshoe Casino Baltimore or even a few in Virginia, but they’ll take a longer drive to reach. For convenience, MGM and Live! are my recommended choices.
Responsible Gambling in Washington D.C.
Gambling is supposed to be fun. If it ever feels like it’s taking over your life, Washington D.C. does have some safeguards in place.
For example, the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming runs a Self-Exclusion Program. It lets you put yourself on a list so you can’t place sports bets or play lottery games for a set period of time.
The DC Lottery also has a Problem Gambling Resources page on its website. There you’ll find hotline numbers, support groups, and links to organizations that offer assistance.
So, if gambling becomes a problem for you? That’s where you can turn. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Seriously. There are real people in D.C. ready to talk and help.
Looking Ahead: When Will DC Legalize Online Casinos?
So, when could Washington, D.C. legalize online casinos? Right now, there aren’t many signs that it will happen anytime soon.
For online casinos to become legal, the D.C. Council would first need to pass new legislation. After that, regulators would still have to create licensing rules, tax structures, and enforcement guidelines. On top of that, every law passed in the District goes through a Congressional review period, which can slow the process further.
At the moment, there aren’t any active bills or serious proposals focused on online casino legalization. Still, a few developments are worth watching:
- Digital gambling already exists – Online sports betting and the DC Lottery’s online games show the city is comfortable offering gambling products online.
- Local policy movement – Mayor Muriel Bowser’s FY 2026 budget proposal includes the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act of 2025, which would expand in-person casino gaming. While limited, it suggests some openness to future expansion.
- National momentum – As more states legalize online gambling, regional competition and potential tax revenue could eventually influence discussions in D.C.
For now, online casinos remain unavailable in Washington, D.C., though that could change if lawmakers revisit the issue in future legislative sessions.
Washington DC Online Casino FAQs
Online casino gambling isn’t legal in Washington, D.C. right now. You can’t play casino games for real money on licensed sites here. What you can do is bet with online sportsbooks, which are allowed, or use sweepstakes casinos if you still want to play casino games and win cash prizes.
You won’t find any legal real-money poker sites in Washington, D.C. right now. If you want to play online poker in DC, your only options are social poker rooms (like Global Poker or Clubs Poker) that use a sweepstakes model to pay out real cash prizes.
Offshore gambling sites will let people in Washington, D.C. sign up and play, but that doesn’t mean they’re legal. They aren’t regulated in the U.S., and there’s no protection if the site refuses to pay out or randomly shuts down. Some players still use them, but the risks are higher than at state-licensed online casinos.
