Washington, D.C.Mayor Muriel Bowser is pushing forward with a fresh legislative effort to legalize poker, blackjack, and commercial bingo across the city. The initiative, framed as a strategy to boost local revenue and tourism, comes amid concerns over federal job cuts and a shifting economic outlook.
Introduced as the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act of 2025 (Council Bill B26-0379), the proposal would allow regulated tournaments in licensed venues such as hotels and bars for patrons aged 18 and up. It also includes provisions to expand commercial bingo activities within the District.
Under the plan, businesses seeking to offer poker and blackjack would pay a $5,000 application fee for a two-year license, with an additional $2,000 fee per location. Gross gaming revenue from these games would be taxed at 25%, while bingo would face a more modest 7.5% tax under a separate licensing structure.
To oversee the new offerings, Bowser’s FY 2026 budget includes nearly $500,000 to fund four new positions within the Office of Lottery and Gaming.
Councilmember McDuffie Emerges as Key Backer
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, is playing a central role in advancing the legislation. He stood beside the mayor during the announcement and is expected to shepherd the bill through upcoming hearings and deliberations.
“Because I think it’s another clear message that the mayor, the deputy mayor and this city is sending, despite everything around us, that Washington D.C. is not standing still. Rather we are investing in our future and proving that inclusive growth, innovation, and economic opportunity are central to our story here in the District of Columbia,”McDuffie said.
McDuffie has already helped reshape D.C.’s gambling landscape through his work on the Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024. That legislation opened the city’s online sports betting market to competition, ending the lottery’s exclusive hold. He also ensured budget provisions protected small businesses that host betting kiosks.
Political, Legal, and Social Challenges Ahead
Despite support from Bowser and McDuffie, the proposal faces significant hurdles. Similar measures were excluded from Bowser’s earlier budgets following council resistance. To improve its odds this time, the current proposal has been separated from the main budget for focused debate.
Critics have voiced concerns about the potential social consequences of expanded gambling. They warn that without strong consumer protections, addiction treatment programs, and rigorous regulation, the costs could outweigh the financial benefits. Revenue projections have not yet been released, and experts caution that gambling expansions often underperform financially in early years.
Adding legal complexity is the presence of the 18th-century Statute of Anne, still technically enforceable in D.C. The law allows gamblers to recover losses over $25, and one group—DC Gambling Recovery—has already used it to sue sports betting firms, seeking hundreds of millions in damages. Legalizing poker and blackjack could open the door to similar claims, requiring new legislative safeguards.
The bill has been referred to McDuffie’s committee, where it will undergo public hearings, expert testimony, and potential amendments.
Source:
“Mayor Bowser revives push to legalize poker, blackjack and bingo in DC”, wjla.com, October 8, 2025
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