This Friday, Oct. 22, is the home opener of the 2021-22 season for DC’s NBA franchise, and that means the first of 41 regular-season Washington Wizards betting opportunities.
On top of doing your homework about Washington’s opponents throughout the season, it’s best to arrive informed about arena protocols and your sports betting options.
Among those pertinent pieces of information are a choice of two online sportsbooks and a new bag policy. Accounting for the circumstances of the live betting experience should be part of your strategy as well.
Wizards betting options at Washington home games
Capital One Arena is home to a retail Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill. You can bet not just on Wizards games but also a myriad of other sporting events at those windows. The sportsbook area also offers live sports viewing, seating, food service, and beverages.
While you’re at the stadium or within a two-block radius, you can also opt to use the Caesars app on your mobile device. The online sportsbook has all the same markets at the same odds as the retail book.
Another option is to use the DC Lottery‘s GambetDC online sportsbook. That is currently the only online choice available throughout all of Washington, DC (excluding some federal property). BetMGM Sportsbook is also available in the District. However, you must be inside or within a two-block radius of Nationals Park to wager online using that app.
As is the norm, you must be at least 21 years of age to gamble in Washington, DC. The best place to check for promos and specials is on the apps. However, before you can get to your seat and pull up the apps, you’ll need to get into the arena.
Entry policies for Wizards home games
As of May 1, Capital One Arena has a no-bag policy. Wallet-sized clutches no larger than 5″x7″ along with diaper bags no larger than 14″x14″x6″ are the only exceptions. Another policy that is important to note is the latest health and safety protocol.
In order to gain admittance to the arena, fans must submit to a verbal screening. The questions identify symptoms of COVID-19. Fans who have seats within close proximity of players/team personnel must provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 48 hours.
All guests must wear facemasks over their mouths and noses except for when actively drinking, eating, or taking medication nasally/orally. That rule applies regardless of vaccination status.
While the arena is offering concessions, the rules stipulate that fans must consume beverages/food at their seats and not on the concourse. Additionally, fans seated on the floor at the arena may only drink/eat in the Etihad Airways Lounge.
The arena also strongly encourages fans to avoid congregating on the concourse and maintain social distancing when not seated. While the arena is accepting cash, it encourages cashless transactions to minimize contact.
Most importantly, fans who are not feeling well should avoid the arena altogether. However, if you’re feeling fine and have no problem complying with the regulations, then you can enjoy betting on a Wizards game live.
How to bet Wizards games live
On the Caesars Maryland sports betting app, you’ll find many betting markets for Wizards games available while the game is ongoing. These include but aren’t limited to:
- Player props like scoring totals and first scorer
- Team props like a total on the number of 3-point baskets the Wizards will hit
- Game and team-specific point totals, including by halves and quarters
- Point spreads for the game, half, and quarters
- Moneylines on halves, quarters, and the rest of the game
Being physically at the game, you have an advantage over those who are watching on television. You get information about how the game is going in real-time. However, the sportsbook is your “opponent” in this endeavor, not other bettors.
You might experience a lag between when players take action in the game and the app updates to reflect that. Many things contribute to how serious that lag will be, several of which are outside of Caesars’ control.
The best thing you can do to get the best odds on the market you want to bet is to keep the app open and keep a watchful eye. Basketball can be a fast-paced game, so you might have to act quickly. Favorable odds can change or disappear in just a second.
Regardless of whether you catch the lines you want, live betting can be a fun way to enjoy a Wizards game. The ultimate in that experience is to do so from the arena. Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers is the first crack at that this season.