Mayor Muriel Bowser is making a renewed—and unapologetically bold—push to legalize poker, blackjack, and commercial bingo in Washington, D.C., as part of a broader strategy to shore up the city’s finances and attract tourism in the face of economic uncertainty.
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who chairs the Committee on Business and Economic Development, has emerged as a vocal proponent of the proposal.
Bowser’s proposal, formally introduced as the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act of 2025 (Council Bill B26-0379), would permit regulated poker and blackjack tournaments in bars, hotels, and other licensed venues for adults 18 and older. The bill also contemplates expanding commercial bingo operations.
Under the plan:
- Operators would pay a $5,000 application fee for a two-year license, plus $2,000 per location
- A 25% tax on gross gaming revenue from poker/blackjack would apply
- Bingo would face a lower tax rate—7.5% —and a lower-tier licensing scheme
- To support regulation, Bowser’s proposed FY 2026 budget includes about $497,000 for four new positions in the Office of Lottery and Gaming to oversee card gaming and commercial bingo
Click here to read the rest of the article written by John Gonzalez over at WJLA ABC 7
