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D.C. Online Gaming Debate Begins With Poker, Casino Tax and Sweepstakes Ban on the Table

D.C. Online Gaming Debate Begins With Poker, Casino Tax and Sweepstakes Ban on the Table
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Iva Dozet News Editor
Fact Checked: PokerListings
  • Updated: May 12, 2026
  • Read time: 2 min

Thus far, 2026 has proven to be a fruitful year for online casino legislation — one way or the another. It all began with the California sweepstakes ban in January and followed with debates in Tennessee and Mississippi not long after. Now, a similar debate is taking place in Washington D.C., where District lawmakers are considering legalizing online gaming, including poker.

For now, this is just a proposal, but it’s still one worth looking into in a little more depth.

What Is Inside the D.C. Online Gaming Proposal

In April, Councilmember Wendell Fielder introduced the Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026 to the D.C. Committee on Human Services for consideration. As is, the bill proposes:

  • Legalization of online casino games, including poker for eligible adults located on nonfederal land in Washington, D.C.
  • A 25% tax on operator revenue
  • Allocated funds for behavioral health services, community initiatives, and regulatory costs
  • Licensed operators would also face a 2% regulatory fee to support oversight, plus a separate 2% community impact payment
  • Detailed and extensive responsible gaming provisions, including deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion, and more

Interestingly, the proposal does not set a fixed limit on the number of operators that could seek licenses, meaning sportsbook operators, including FanDuel and DraftKings, which already operate within the D.C. area would all likely seek licenses. As is, the bill would also draw in new operators currently outside the District.

The primary regulator overseeing all of this would be the Office of Lottery and Gaming, which is already responsible for sportsbook legislation.

A Complete Sweepstakes Ban

Another significant point in the proposal is the direct and complete prohibition of “sweepstakes gaming” and dual-currency models within Washington D.C. Violations could carry civil fines of up to $100,000 each, with the possibility of steeper fines and cease-and-desist orders for repeat offenses.

The D.C. Online Gaming Debate

While the proposal itself is clear enough, the debate around it is anything but. Presenting his proposal, Fielder argued that:

Wendell Fielder, D.C. Councilmember

This is not about encouraging gambling, but recognizing reality and responding responsibly. They’re already participating; they need safeguards.

That is essentially what the main argument boils down to — many online platforms, including sweepstakes ones, have found ways to bypass legislation and are already operating within the state. Legalizing online casinos would regulate the market, as well as bring revenue back into the District.

Of course, not everyone sees it that way. Numerous anti-gambling groups also attended the hearing, voicing their opinions. Even though online gaming is happening, for them, legalization would only lead to expansion of the problem, making it more readily available.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission member Bernie Horn

Internet casino gambling is intended to be addictive.

Safe to say, the proposal did not find its footing in last Monday’s hearing. Where (if anywhere) the bill goes from here is still very much up in the air.

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Written By: Iva Dozet News Editor

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