Is online gambling legal in District of Columbia?

The IRS requires a 24% federal withholding on winnings over $5,000. If a dispute is not resolved with the operator, you can file a complaint with the OLG.

Only what is listed as legal above is licensed. Anything else offered to you online is unlicensed and gives you no protection.

Online sports betting is legal on sites licensed in District of Columbia. Online casino is banned in District of Columbia. Online poker is banned in District of Columbia. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in District of Columbia.

The minimum age on record for gambling in District of Columbia is 18+.

Federal 24% on wins ≥$5,000. For DC residents, lottery winnings >$5,000 are subject to 8.5% income tax withholding.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) licence before depositing.

Prominent operators in District of Columbia

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

1. 1

   1. Contact the Operator

   The first step for any player with a dispute is to contact the customer service department of the licensed sports betting operator directly to attempt a resolution.

2. 2

   2. File a Complaint with the OLG

   If the issue is not resolved with the operator, the player can file a formal complaint with the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG), the regulatory body overseeing all licensed gambling in the District.

3. 3

   3. Pursue Legal Action

   If the dispute remains unresolved after regulatory intervention, the player's final recourse may be to pursue legal action through the D.C. court system.

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  Verify the License

  Check for the operator's license information on their site or app and cross-reference it with the public list of licensed operators on the D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming website.

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  Look for the OLG Seal

  Licensed and legal sites will feature the official seal of the Office of Lottery and Gaming, indicating they are regulated and approved to operate in the District.

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  Confirm Secure Connections

  Ensure the website's URL begins with 'https://', which indicates a secure, encrypted connection that protects your personal and financial data.

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  Check for Responsible Gaming Resources

  Legal operators are required to provide prominent links to responsible gaming information, including the self-exclusion program and problem gambling helplines like 1-800-GAMBLER.

• Myth

  I can bet with any sportsbook app anywhere in D.C.
  Reality

  This is false. All mobile betting is prohibited on federal land, such as the National Mall. Some sportsbook apps are geofenced and only work within a two-block radius of their partner sports venue.

• Myth

  My gambling winnings aren't taxed in D.C.
  Reality

  Winnings are taxable income. The IRS requires a 24% federal withholding on winnings over $5,000. For D.C. residents, lottery winnings over $5,000 are also subject to an 8.5% D.C. income tax withholding.

• Myth

  Online casinos are legal in D.C.
  Reality

  As of mid-2026, online casinos and poker remain illegal in the District of Columbia. Only online sports betting and the lottery are legal. Legislation to authorize online casinos is currently under consideration by the D.C. Council.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in District of Columbia. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.