Washington D.C. sports wagering financial figures got a boost in September over August, presumably from NFL and college football action. As usual, the non-GambetDC operators set the pace.
GambetDC is the DC Lottery’s oft-criticized online sports betting app. Despite having a near-monopoly on mobile sports betting in the city, GambetDC consistently trails other sportsbooks that operate mainly as retail books along with some mobile betting that’s allowed within close proximity to the associated retail books.
All of them add up to only a small fraction of the handle and revenue at Virginia sportsbooks with that state’s all-mobile market.
In September, the total sports betting handle for all sports wagering operators in Washington was $19.34 million. Of that amount, about $13.41 million (69% of the total) was action taken by non-GambetDC operators. GambetDC took $5.95 million in wagers.
Overall, the September totals were a healthy increase from August, according to the District’s Office of Lottery and Gaming. The $19.34 million in handle was a 47.1% increase from August’s $13.15 million; that month, $9.71 million was non-GambetDC handle and $3.44 million came from GambetDC wagers.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
Virginia Sports Betting Healthier than DC
But compared to Virginia sportsbook apps, the handle in the nation’s capital is tiny. Numbers for September are not out yet, but in August, the handle for sports betting in Virginia was about $287.67 million. Virginia has about 10 times the population as D.C. so it’s reasonable to expect that much of a size difference in financial numbers. But with Gambet, D.C. hasn’t ever come close to bringing in even 10% of Virginia’s handle in any month since both markets launched in January 2021.
September’s total combined revenue (GambetDC and non-GambetDC) was a little more than $3.53 million, up 92.6% from August ($1.83 million).
September online sports betting Gross Gaming Revenue (non-GambetDC) was $2.49 million, up 95.4% from August ($1.27 million). Those non-Gambet operators have locations at major sporting arenas in D.C. – Caesars Sportsbook operates at Capital One Arena, BetMGM at Nationals Park and FanDuel has a sportsbook at Audi Field.
September revenue from GambetDC (amount played minus amount won by customers) was $1.04 million, up 86.4% from August ($557,987). September sports betting tax revenue (non-GambetDC) was $249,045, up 95.4% from August ($127,470).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Proposal to Open D.C. Sports Betting Market
The District’s City Council is tired of GambetDC underproducing, it seems.
Last week, several city council members, led by Elissa Silverman, brought forth legislation that would open Washington’s sports betting market to more major operators. The proposal seeks to end Gambet’s exclusivity as a mobile operator in the city.
“If we’re going to have a lottery and a sports betting program, let’s at least make it a revenue generator for the city so it can fund important efforts in public safety, public education and housing,” Silverman said in a news release. “And let’s stop the bad practice of awarding lucrative contracts without competition.”
Fellow City Council members Brooke Pinto, Mary Cheh and Charles Allen co-introduced the bill.
In Virginia, the market is open and is only online, so operators such as BetMGM Virginia, FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars. Until this summer, there weren’t any physical casinos in the commonwealth, and even the one now open in Bristol does not take wagers on sports.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 2/22/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 2/15/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Even More Mobile Competition Coming in Maryland
There’s more competition coming for D.C. as well, because Maryland is getting close to launching its mobile sports betting market. By late November or, more likely, early December, that state will add online options to its existing retail sports betting market at five casinos and three other locations.
For the best Virginia sports betting sign-up bonuses, turn to BetVirginia.com before you wager to get top deals.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
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