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Draftkings Sportsbook as we look at the details of the sports betting behemoth joining the DC sports betting scene.
Draftkings Sportsbook at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Photo by: Rob Schumacher/The Republic/USA TODAY Network.

It's been an exciting couple of months for our best sports betting sites in the District of Columbia. Things got even better on Friday as DraftKings officially went live.

After years of lackluster results from what was formerly the only district-wide operator, GamBetDC, the DC sports betting scene had a major shakeup in April when FanDuel took over. However, changes to the scene weren't finished.

How it used to be

For years the market has been relatively stagnant in the nation's capitol. 

While GamBetDC ruled the scene (albeit poorly), there have long been other operators in DC, it's just that they faced major restrictions. 

Three of our best sports betting apps have long been active, but they had to operate within a two-block radius of professional sports teams' home arenas with which they had agreements. 

Before its takeover, FanDuel operated at Audi Field (D.C. United), while BetMGM could be found at and around Nationals Park (Washington Nationals), and Caesars Sportsbook was available near Capital One Arena (Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals).

You can find some excellent offers from the old guard in our DC sportsbook promos.

The new scene

Kenyan McDuffie, chairman of the D.C. Council Committee on Business was quoted a couple of months back saying, “I’ve heard from many residents about their unease with the district’s woeful performance on sports betting.   

He stepped up and championed change, and when the DC council passed its FY2025 budget, which came into effect on July 15, the district saw expanded sports betting come to fruition.

The market has become DraftKings' 29th betting market in North America, with operations coast-to-coast in the United States and a presence in the Ontario sports betting market in Canada. It also has one of our best real-money online casinos in numerous markets.

“It has been incredible to see legalized sports betting grow rapidly over the past six years, and with plans to launch our online sportsbook in D.C., DraftKings looks forward to expanding its presence in more than half the country,” said Matt Kalish, President, DraftKings North America.

If you want to check out the sports betting behemoth, be sure to use our DraftKings promo code.