Online Gaming Legal in the US Capital? Think Again!

What started out as a steady drive toward legalizing US online gaming has taken a backseat.
Washington DC looked poised to become the first US city to legalize online casinos, but the public meetings planned to discuss such a move had to be rescheduled for mid-October because early October simply didn’t work. Perhaps lawmakers in Washington have bigger things to worry about? Don’t they know that legalizing online gaming will solve our economic problems?!
From Halloween to Christmas
The Washington DC Council states that the hearing on legalizing state online gaming will now be rescheduled. The hearing, once scheduled for late October, is expected to take place in late December after the public meetings are completed. But due to feet-dragging Council members and other bureaucratic red tape, the scheduling for the hearing could likely be re-rescheduled; frustrating pro-gaming lobbyists who wanted these meetings to take place yesterday.
Executive Director of D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Board Buddy Roogow states, “Our goal is to educate residents, constituents, and stake holders alike on what Internet gaming is, what it isn’t, and highlight the potential benefits this new gaming platform may have in the District of Columbia. I want to ensure that residents have the appropriate information they need to make a well informed decision on the impact of Internet gaming in the District and in their communities.”
What’s at Stake
The DC hearing is expected to determine how the Council proceeds with the plans to legalize regulated online gambling in the state. But for now, there doesn’t appear to be any winning consensus. “It could go either way at this point,” comments Council member Jack Evans. That is, if—and when—it goes.
Public meetings on the push for legalizing Washington DC online gambling were scheduled to start last week and run through November 17, 2011—pending unforeseen changes, of course.
Will Washington DC be first US city to legalize online casinos in their state, or will someone beat them to it? Tell us what you think in our forum about states pushing legal online gaming.