Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is looking to drum up extra revenue for state coffers and has identified the legalization of blackjack and poker as potentially lucrative new options.
Talking about the likes of poker tournaments, blackjack, and commercial bingo, Bowser said that people tell her they’re “hot” at the moment with the general public.
the mayor has not provided any estimate regarding projected revenue from the activities
The Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act of 2025 would charge the Office of Lottery and Gaming with these new card games and issue two-year licenses to private parties. The proposed tax rate is 25%; the mayor has not provided any estimate regarding projected revenue from the activities.
This could be because Bowser was burned after city officials predicted that legal sports betting in the district would generate $92m in tax revenue within four years of launch, when in reality it managed only a paltry $20m. This gulf was largely caused by the monopoly model and subpar sportsbook technology. Since July, the market has been open to several operators and has started meeting initial expectations.
The D.C. Council will need to vote on the $21.8bn budget proposal that includes these measures before the end of July. Cuts to federal funding and jobs mean that the district is looking at a $1bn shortfall during Donald Trump’s second term as president.
