GambetDC Sportsbook is the only online sportsbook in Virginia’s neighboring Washington, DC. As of May 28, 2020, it went live under the management of the DC Lottery.

Virginia currently awaits the launch of legal sports betting in the state. In the meantime, northern Virginians may wonder if they can visit our nation’s capital to whet their sports betting appetites.

In this review, we break down all GambetDC Sportsbook has to offer to sports bettors in Virginia. We also answer whether the DC-based sportsbook is a viable option even when the first Virginia sportsbooks go online in early 2021.

GambetDC promo: $25 for new players

When you join the GambetDC Sportsbook, you’ll receive a welcome offer. New customers receive a $25 bonus as part of the first bet promotion.

Once you make an initial deposit, you need to place your first bet. Then you’ll receive a free bet of $25 in your account.

After you register at GambetDC, go to “My Account” and then “User Profile.” From there, check the box that says, “I want to receive offers, promotions and information from GambetDC.” That will opt you in for future promotional offers.

Promotions on GambetDC sports betting app

Beyond the $25 first bet bonus and the occasional direct-email offer, GambetDC doesn’t offer regular promotions.

Can I bet with GambetDC in Virginia?

No, if you’re still physically in Virginia, GambetDC Sportsbook won’t let you wager. However, assuming you are 18 years or older and physically within Washington, DC, you can wager legally at GambetDC no matter where you live.

Although you can access your GambetDC account and request a withdrawal while in Virginia, you can’t place a bet unless you’re in DC.

Until Virginia sportsbooks begin to launch in January 2021, GambetDC may be the only legal online betting option for some VA sports wagerers.

How to create a GambetDC account in Virginia

Registering for a GambetDC account in Virginia is a quick and painless process, whether you’re using the GambetDC mobile app or the desktop version.

First, from either the mobile app’s opening screen or the GambetDC homepage, you need to click “Register.”

Next, you will need to share your preferred email address and create a username and password. If your username and password meet the minimum security requirements, you will then need to submit your personal details on the following page:

• Gender (optional)
• First name
• Last name
• Date of birth
• Last four digits of your Social Security number
• Address
• Phone number

Then, once you submit that information, you can add an extra layer of security to your account. On the following screen, you will need to choose two secret questions and answers.

You can also opt-in for promotional emails during this stage of the sign-up process. After you agree to the terms and conditions, GambetDC will send you an automated email to confirm your email address.

Finally, once you open the email and click on the activation link, your account is ready to go.

Using GambetDC in Virginia

Whether you’re using the GambetDC mobile app or its desktop site, you will need to be physically in Washington, DC, to bet.

However, one exception is federally owned land within DC. Those lands include the “monument core” area of DC, as well as the Potomac River waterfront and Rock Creek Park.

Furthermore, you can’t wager within two blocks of a Class A license holder, which are retail sportsbooks within stadiums and arenas. Currently, that includes only Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena.

To verify your whereabouts, GambetDC uses geolocation tracking. The technology you will need to approve and/or download on your mobile device, tells the company that you are within DC and legally permitted to bet on sports through GambetDC.

All US states with legal sports betting use geolocation tracking. Once Virginia sportsbooks open, you will need to use geolocation technology to place sports bets in VA.

GambetDC betting odds, hold

GambetDC has a perfectly usable interface and many of the wagering options that sports bettors seek. However, savvier bettors will notice the unattractive odds that GambetDC usually offers its players.

Most sportsbooks keep approximately 4.5% to 5.5% of every dollar wagered on bets. This is called the “hold.” As VA sports bettors become more serious and sophisticated, they will more often notice the difference between good and bad odds.

Most sportsbooks offer -110 odds on both sides of a spread.

For example, suppose the Washington Football Team is a 2-point favorite over the Miami Dolphins. In the case, you can usually get Washington at -2 with -110 odds, and the Dolphins will be available at +2 with -110 odds. That creates a hold for the sportsbook of 4.55%.

However, GambetDC, which is powered by Intralot, will often offer odds of -118 on each side of a bet. That creates a hold of 7.63%.

For example, if you bet $100 and win, you net $90.91 with -110 odds. However, with the -118 odds offered at GambetDC, you would instead net just $84.75.

It may seem minor for a casual player, but over time, even semi-serious sports bettors will understand the substantial impact on their bankroll.

Types of bets at GambetDC Sportsbook app

The GambetDC app has a full menu of sports betting options with all the usual offerings. They include:

• Moneyline: This is a simple bet in which you pick the winner straight up with no point spread. The favorite in the contest will have negative odds (e.g., -165), and the odds are positive (+200) for underdogs. The wider the two numbers are apart, the more of a mismatch is expected.
• Point Spread: Oddsmakers use the spread, or the betting line, as a sort of estimated margin of victory. A negative number such as -5 means a team is favored by 5 points. A plus number indicates a team is an underdog. If you place a bet and get a line of -5, your team must win by at least 6 points for your bet to be successful. Often, bettors who wager this way will say they are betting “against the spread” (ATS).
• Totals (Over/Under): This is a bet on the total combined points that will be scored in a contest between two teams. Sportsbooks set the number, and bettors then decide if they think the total points will go over or under that amount. For example, let’s say the line is 50.5, and you bet the over. If the Virginia Cavaliers beat the Virginia Tech Hokies, 30-21, the bet wins since 51 total points were scored.
• Prop Bets: Proposition bets, or “prop bets,” allow you to wager on something that may happen during the game or match that’s not specific to the final score. These bets are usually tied to the team- or player-specific performance, and they can come in a wide variety of options.
• Parlays: This is a bet in which you combine multiple individual wagers (typically 2-10 bets) into a single bet or “card.” Players need each leg of a parlay to come through for the parlay to win. The odds are often long, but the payouts can be hefty.
• Round Robin: This type of bet is similar to a parlay, but at least three selections are required. Unlike a parlay, a round robin has multiple combinations of your chosen bets. Therefore, even if one leg loses, you can still win with some of their combinations.
• Live Betting (In-Game): Bettors can wager on a game or match as its underway. The odds, spreads and totals all fluctuate as the game plays out. This betting option has become popular in recent years as bettors look for ways to bet a single game in multiple ways and at multiple times.
• Futures: A futures bet is a wager on a future outcome. This can include a season wins total, a Super Bowl championship, an MVP award winner, or other similar events. Usually, you will have to wait days or even weeks and months to see if your futures bet is a winner.

Sports you can bet on at GambetDC in Virginia

From major leagues such as the NFL and MLB to niche sports such as MMA and even darts, GambetDC offers an impressive selection of sports options.

In fact, you often can wager on preseason, in-season and postseason games for each major sport. The list of available sports includes:

• Basketball: NBA, WNBA and NCAA
• Baseball: MLB and Asian leagues
• Football: NFL and NCAA
• Golf: PGA
• Hockey: NHL and international leagues
• Motorsports: NASCAR and Formula 1
• Soccer: European leagues and MLS
• Tennis: ATP, WTA and Challenger series
• MMA: UFC
• Niche Sports: Aussie rules, rugby, darts, cricket

Other sports and leagues also show up, depending on the time of year.

Sports teams you can bet on

If you live in Virginia and want to bet on some of the region’s favorite teams, the GambetDC online sportsbook has them.

The commonwealth doesn’t have any professional sports teams, but Virginia residents have adopted many teams from neighboring states. Additionally, Virginia is home to many standout NCAA Division I universities that have prolific athletic programs.

At GambetDC, you can bet on:

• Virginia Cavaliers
  • Bet on all University of Virginia football and basketball games.
  • Futures on the Cavaliers and the NCAA.
• Virginia Tech Hokies
  • Bet on Virginia Tech University football and basketball games.
  • Futures on the Hokies and the NCAA.
• Washington Football Team
  • Bet on all Washington games.
  • Futures and props for Washington and the NFL.
  • Live betting on all NFL teams.
• Carolina Panthers
  • Bet on all Panthers games.
  • Futures and props for Carolina and the NFL.
  • Live betting on all NFL teams.
• Tennessee Titans
  • Bet on all Titans games.
  • Futures and props for Tennessee and the NFL.
  • Live betting on all NFL teams.
• Baltimore Ravens
  • Bet on all Ravens games.
  • Futures and props for Baltimore and the NFL.
  • Live betting on all NFL teams.
• Washington Nationals
  • Bet on all Nationals games.
  • Futures and props for Washington and MLB.
  • Live betting on all MLB teams.
• Baltimore Orioles
  • Bet on all Orioles games.
  • Futures and props for Baltimore and MLB.
  • Live betting on all MLB teams.
• Washington Wizards
  • Bet on all Wizards games.
  • Futures and props for Washington and the NBA.
  • Live betting on all NBA teams
• Washington Capitals
  • Bet on all Capitals games.
  • Futures and props for Washington and the NHL.
  • Live betting on all NHL teams.
• Carolina Hurricanes
  • Bet on all Hurricanes games.
  • Futures and props for Carolina and the NHL.
  • Live betting on all NHL teams.

In addition to those teams, GambetDC has wagering options for many other regional teams and universities, including the Liberty University and Old Dominion University football teams, as well as notable basketball programs such as the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Additionally, Virginia is home to two NASCAR tracks and a handful of drivers, as well as many UFC fighters, PGA golfers and professional boxers. You can also bet on those sports at GambetDC and back your favorite local athletes.

How to deposit, cash out on the GambetDC app

GambetDC offers the following deposit options to fund your account:

• Credit or Debit Cards: You can make a deposit and have instant access to your funds by using a credit or debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. However, GambetDC recommends using a debit card since some major bank institutions (including Wells Fargo, Capital One, Chase and Bank of America, among others) may decline gambling-related transactions on credit cards.
• Skrill: Skrill is an online payments company, and it’s used globally for sports betting and gaming transactions. You can fund your Skrill account with a Mastercard, bank account or cash. You can also use Paysafecard or Paysafecash prepaid vouchers that are sold at many retail and convenience stores to fund your Skrill account.
• Instant ACH: This option allows you to fund your GambetDC account via your bank account using your online banking credentials. After verifying your email address and phone number, and then choosing your issuing bank from a list of participating institutions, your funds are available instantly.
• VIP Preferred E-Check: This method is similar to Instant ACH and uses the funds in your US bank account. Global Payments VIP Preferred offers the service. You must first enroll in the Global Payments VIP Preferred e-check service, though you’re already enrolled if you’ve used an e-check in the past.

GambetDC allows players to register more than one method of deposit. Withdrawals, meanwhile, are typically credited back to the initial method used for your deposit.

How to contact GambetDC customer support

GambetDC has three options available to reach customer support:

• Email: You can email all questions and concerns to [email protected] GambetDC says customers should allow 24 hours for email responses.
• Phone: You can reach customer support at 877-261-5708. This option is available 24/7.
• Live Chat: GambetDC can resolve many issues quickly via online text chat with a customer support representative.

You also may be able to resolve your issue via GambetDC’s FAQ section. It includes the following topics:

• Account Verification
• Deposits
• Disabled Accounts
• Geolocation
• General Questions
• Getting Started
• Responsible Gaming
• Withdrawals

Responsible gaming at GambetDC

GambetDC takes responsible gaming seriously, and the company has a robust problem gambling section on its website to address any concerns.

The company also places responsible gaming links on the opening screen of its homepage and mobile app. GambetDC explains what responsible gaming is and provides information on:

• How to recognize a gambling problem.
• How to receive help.
• Tools to manage your gaming activity.
• How to suspend/close an account.
• How you can self-exclude.

Wrapping up: Is GambetDC the best option for Virginia bettors?

In some ways, GambetDC is the best online sportsbook available in Washington, DC, and for nearby Virginia residents – simply by default. GambetDC is DC’s only online sportsbook and mobile app, and that convenience will go a long way with sports bettors.

Caesars by William Hill Sportsbook, currently DC’s lone Class A license holder, allows in-person bets at ticket windows and kiosks at its temporary location in Capital One Arena. It plans to open a permanent sportsbook location with betting windows, a restaurant and bar.

However, because the DC Lottery has permitted only GambetDC to take online wagers, it will be the first sports betting option for many in the region due to its convenience.