Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is considering a fresh source of revenue for the District. Tucked inside her 2026 budget proposal is a plan to expand the scope of legalized gaming beyond sports betting. The proposed updates would open the door to poker, blackjack, and commercial bingo, bringing DC’s gambling sector closer to other regulated US jurisdictions.
The Measure Seeks to Bolster DC’s Hospitality Sector
If the plan clears the DC Council, it would mark the city’s first foray into live, on-site table games. The proposed legislation allows hotels to host blackjack and poker tournaments while restaurants can offer bingo games. A new licensing structure overseen by the Office of Lottery and Gaming will regulate these additions to the District’s gambling landscape, ensuring they comply with the law.
Businesses interested in hosting card games would need to pay an application fee of $5,000 for a two-year license, with an additional $2,000 for each location. The government also plans a 25% tax on gross gaming revenue. The 2026 budget envisions lower barriers to entry for bingo operators, with just a $300 endorsement fee, along with a 7.5% tax on receipts.
While these new measures enjoy substantial momentum, they must clear one more hurdle: the DC Council. Legislators will closely examine the budget during the next few weeks, with a final vote expected in August. Bowser remains optimistic, stressing that this measure could bolster the District’s hospitality sector while providing a fresh revenue stream for the local government.
Such an Expansion Will Require Considerable Effort
Speaking for local news outlet WTOP, gaming law attorney Ian Thomas noted that DC’s proposed licensing fees are on the lower end among US jurisdictions, likely aiming to attract small and medium-sized local operators. However, he cautioned that launching these new forms of gambling would come with substantial challenges.
It will be an in-person option, and that is a little bit different in terms of how it’s regulated, how it’s licensed, and the type of oversight that needs to be given.
Ian Thomas, gaming law attorney
Thomas also warned that the mayor’s proposed budget does not allocate funds specifically to problem gambling programs. The Department of Behavioral Health is currently in charge of providing treatment for gambling addiction, with its services available to everyone facing gambling-related harm. However, introducing several new forms of gambling will likely require additional funding for addiction prevention and treatment initiatives.
DC legalized online sports betting in 2020 and has drawn considerable interest from high-profile operators, securing a steady source of revenue for the District. Bowser hopes the addition of in-person table games can generate a similar boost as DC joins other US jurisdictions leveraging such offerings as a tool for economic development.
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