District of Columbia Statewide Rule

DC Sports Betting: Class A vs. Class B Licenses

Significant RestrictionsApplies statewide across District of Columbia (2026)

Key Facts

Effective date: May 3, 2019 (D.C. Law 22-312)
Enforcing agency: Office of Lottery and Gaming
Class A license fee: $1,000,000 application, 5-year term
Class B license fee: $100,000 application, 5-year term
Class A arenas: Capital One Arena, Audi Field, Nationals Park, St. Elizabeths East
Class B exclusion zone: Barred within 2 blocks of each arena
Licensee penalty cap: $50,000 fine, 365-day suspension

Last verified: August 21, 2026

Summary

Sports wagering has been legal in the District since May 3, 2019, but only for licensed operators. D.C. Code § 36-621.05 makes it illegal to take a sports bet without an Operator, Management Services Provider, Supplier, or Occupational license from the Office of Lottery and Gaming. Class A licenses tie to four named arenas; Class B operators can locate anywhere else in the city except within two blocks of those arenas.

The Office may issue a Class A operator license to an applicant whose sports wagering facility will be located within any of the following locations: Capital One Arena (601 F Street, N.W., and described as Lot 0047, Square 0455), Audi Field (100 Potomac Avenue, S.W., and described as Lot 0027, Square 0665), Nationals Park (1500 South Capitol Street, S.E., and described as Lot 0016, Square 0705), or St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena. ... The Office shall not issue a Class B operator license to any applicant whose sports wagering facility will be located within a 2-block radius of any of the designated facilities.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 (D.C. Law 22-312) took effect May 3, 2019, and D.C. Code § 36-621.01 makes sports wagering lawful in the District only "conducted in accordance with this subchapter, and rules and regulations issued pursuant to this subchapter." The Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) administers the framework and issues four kinds of licenses under § 36-621.05(b)(1): Operator, Management Services Provider, Supplier, and Occupational. Section 36-621.05(a)(1) makes it unlawful for anyone to "engage in an activity connected with sports wagering" without holding every required license.

Private operator licenses come in two tiers under § 36-621.06. A Class A operator license, available only for a facility at Capital One Arena, Audi Field, Nationals Park, or the St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena, costs a $1,000,000 non-refundable application fee ($500,000 to renew) and runs five years; it lets the holder offer in-person wagering plus one mobile or online platform. A Class B operator license, for any other District location, costs $100,000 to apply ($50,000 to renew), but OLG will not issue one within a two-block radius of any of the four arenas. Separately, the District runs its own citywide mobile and retail wagering program under § 36-621.11; a retailer license there costs $5,000, lasts two years, and unauthorized retail wagering carries a fine up to $5,000, up to six months in jail, or revocation of the retailer license under § 36-621.11(f)(2). For licensees generally, § 36-621.14 lets OLG fine violations up to $50,000, suspend a license for up to 365 days, or revoke it, with a right to a hearing and appeal to the D.C. Superior Court.

Violations & Penalties

Taking or accepting a sports bet without every license § 36-621.05 requires, Operator, Management Services Provider, Supplier, or Occupational, is unlawful. For licensees, OLG can fine up to $50,000, suspend a license for up to 365 days, or revoke it under § 36-621.14, with appeal rights to D.C. Superior Court. Under the District-operated retailer program, § 36-621.11(f)(2) sets a separate criminal penalty: a fine up to $5,000, up to six months' imprisonment, or loss of the retailer license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sports betting legal in Washington, DC?

Yes. D.C. Code § 36-621.01 made sports wagering lawful in the District as of May 3, 2019, when the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 took effect. It's legal only when conducted under a license issued by the Office of Lottery and Gaming: betting through an unlicensed operator remains illegal under § 36-621.05.

What's the difference between a Class A and Class B sports wagering license?

A Class A operator license, under D.C. Code § 36-621.06(b)(1), is limited to a sports book at Capital One Arena, Audi Field, Nationals Park, or St. Elizabeths East and costs $1,000,000 to apply. A Class B license covers any other District location for a $100,000 application fee, but OLG cannot issue one within a two-block radius of any Class A arena.

Can I bet on sports through the District's own lottery app?

Yes: separate from the arena-based Class A/B operators, D.C. Code § 36-621.11 lets the Office of Lottery and Gaming license retailers for a District-operated wagering program citywide. A retailer license costs $5,000, runs two years, and taking wagers outside that authorized program is punishable under § 36-621.11(f)(2) by a fine up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail.

What happens if a licensed sports wagering operator breaks the rules?

Under D.C. Code § 36-621.14, the Office of Lottery and Gaming can fine a licensee up to $50,000 per violation, suspend its sports wagering license for as long as 365 days, or revoke the license outright. A licensee facing a fine, suspension, or denial is entitled to a hearing before OLG and may appeal an adverse decision to the District of Columbia Superior Court.

Sources

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