Council of the District of Columbia Considers iGaming Legalisation Bill

The Council of the District of Columbia has held a hearing on proposed igaming legislation, with industry representatives and opposition groups debating whether online casinos should be regulated in Washington.

Councilmember Wendell Felder first introduced the “Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026” on April 9, 2026. The proposal seeks to legalise igaming in the district while also banning sweepstakes casinos. Representatives from major operators including Caesars Entertainment, FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM attended the hearing in support of the measure.

Matt Scalf, Senior Government Affairs Manager at DraftKings, said:

“Nearly two years ago, the council passed legislation to modernise the district’s online sports wagering market. This bill represents a natural next step, building on the district’s success by joining eight states in authorising igaming as part of the district’s existing well-regulated gaming framework overseen by the Office of Lottery and Gaming.”

Matthew Frumin, Chair of the Committee on Human Services, added:

“This legislation establishes a comprehensive licensing framework, including a consumer protection plan, responsible gaming requirements, taxation, reporting, and an enforcement framework administered by the Office of Lottery and Gaming.”

Under the proposal, operators would be required to pay a $2m licence application fee, alongside a further $500,000 for each licence renewal. Licences would remain valid for five years, while operators would also face a 25% tax on gaming revenue.

However, opposition to the bill was also voiced during the hearing. Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, questioned whether legalisation would reduce participation in illegal gambling markets.

Bernal said: 

“This is like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.”

No vote was taken following the hearing, with the proposal remaining under committee review as lawmakers continue to assess the potential risks and benefits of legalising online casinos in Washington.