Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has introduced a significant new piece of legislation, the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorisation Act of 2025, which
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has introduced a significant new piece of legislation, the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorisation Act of 2025, which seeks to legalise and regulate a range of new gambling products across the city. The proposal, officially designated as Council Bill B26-0379, would permit licensed hospitality venues to offer poker, blackjack, and bingo to patrons aged 18 and over. This marks a major potential expansion of the Washington, D.C. gambling landscape.
The primary motivation behind the proposed D.C. gambling legalisation is economic. The city’s leadership is actively seeking new streams of tax revenue to diversify an economy that is heavily reliant on the federal government. With the prospect of federal workforce reductions and a slowing local economy, expanding the entertainment and hospitality sectors is seen as a key strategic priority.
The new gambling bill would impose a 25% tax on the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from poker and blackjack, while bingo would be taxed at 7.5%. For comparison, this places the proposed tax rate for table games below the 30% levied on untethered sports betting in D.C. The first $250,000 in collected taxes would be directed to a dedicated gaming fund, with the remainder going to the District’s General Fund.
A key feature of Council Bill B26-0379 is its focus on integrating these new gaming options into the existing hospitality fabric of the city. The gambling bill would create a licensing framework allowing venues like hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centres to apply to host games. This is a deliberate policy to support small businesses and drive foot traffic to local venues.
The proposed licensing structure involves a non-refundable $5,000 application fee, with two-year licences renewable for $1,500. This relatively low barrier to entry is designed to encourage widespread participation from the city’s hospitality venues.
Oversight for the new market would fall to the existing Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG). If the bill passes, the OLG’s role would be significantly expanded, transforming it into a full-scale gaming authority. This regulatory expansion would require the agency to develop new compliance systems, hire additional staff, and roll out responsible gaming initiatives for the new products.
The proposal has been referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development, chaired by Kenyan McDuffie, who was a key figure in the recent liberalisation of sports betting in D.C. While the bill will face scrutiny, its strong economic rationale and the precedent set by sports betting legalisation suggest it has a serious chance of passing, potentially creating a new, regulated market for poker and blackjack in D.C. by 2026.
