Washington D.C. Moves to Legalize Online Poker and Casino Games

Washington D.C. is on the brink of a significant change in its gaming landscape as Wendell Fielder, chairman of the city’s subcommittee on local business development, introduced the Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026. This bill seeks to legalize online gaming and ban sweepstakes casinos, aiming to bring unlicensed gaming activities into a regulated environment.

According to the legislation, D.C. residents wagered $700 million on unlicensed gaming platforms in 2024. Fielder hopes to capture this revenue and use it for various community investments. The bill would legalize online poker and other casino games, with the Office of Lottery and Gaming overseeing the industry. Operators would pay a non-refundable application fee of $2 million, with license renewals costing $500,000 every five years. The industry would be taxed at 25% of gross gaming revenue, with the first $500,000 allocated to address gambling addiction and behavioral health concerns. The remaining funds would be divided among several city departments.

The legislation also includes provisions for sharing poker liquidity with other markets. With a population of just about 672,000, Washington D.C. has seen both successes and struggles with mobile sports betting since its legalization in 2018. The district initially adopted a one-operator approach but later shifted to a more competitive market. The future of online gaming in the nation’s capital remains uncertain, but the potential benefits are substantial.