Mayor Muriel Bowser is reviving an effort to legalize poker and blackjack at bars, hotels, and other establishments in Washington, D.C.
The move comes as officials in the nation’s capital expect the district to experience an economic downswing in the coming months. They expect many federal workers to lose their jobs as a result of the recent federal government shutdown.
But Bowser believes legalized gambling could help attract additional tourists to the area and generate additional tax revenue. In its current legal landscape, D.C. only has online sports betting and a lottery system.
“We are investing in our future,” Bowser said when she announced the plan. “It’s so important, especially now with the changing footprint of the federal government, that we are creating good-paying jobs for D.C. residents.”
Second Attempt At Legal Poker In D.C.
This is the mayor’s second time pushing for legal poker and blackjack. Earlier this year, Bowser put a similar plan in her budget proposal, but the D.C. City Council stripped those from the budget.
Bowser wants legalized gambling in the district, but the plan doesn’t bring casinos to the area. Instead, it would allow certain establishments to spread poker and blackjack games as part of special events or dedicated gaming areas.
The city also appears to be eying major gambling events. However, officials don’t have any estimates on tax revenue stemming from poker and blackjack.
“But even if we just had one or two marquee national tournaments here, that is another attraction that brings both national and international visitors to D.C., which is always the platform that we wanted to create for our entertainment ecosystem,” Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert told the Washington Post.
Bowser’s legislation goes beyond just additional gambling. The plan seeks to slash red tape for construction projects. It would cut zoning challenges faced by many developers in the city. Buyers of commercial property would also be able to appeal their tax bill during a purchase.
Bowser’s Plan Faces Pushback From City Council
Like the first time around, the proposal faces large hurdles in the form of the D.C. City Council. It has only been a few months since the council stripped these efforts from the budget. Thus, it’s unlikely the political winds have changed much.
However, there’s still at least some hope that the economic outlook could change the results. Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie was with Bowser when she announced the plan.
“The mayor’s announcement and plan to reintroduce legislation that streamlines development and strengthens inclusive growth is a critical step forward,” McDuffie said.
From a poker perspective, there is some significant competition in the arena. MGM National Harbor is located just outside the city limits in Maryland. The casino is just 22 minutes from the D.C. city center and has 46 poker tables and some of the most consistent action in the mid-Atlantic region.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
