Legalized Internet Poker in Washington D.C. Unlikely Any Time Soon

After becoming the first jurisdiction in the United States to legalize Internet poker, Washington, D.C. is looking less likely to allow the activity for its half million residents any time soon.

The District of Columbia’s move to legalize Internet poker was met with accusations of cronyism with contentious hearings taking place this past week. 

From The Washington Times:

Jack Evans, chairman of the D.C. Council's Committee on Finance and Revenue, said he did not want to tip his hand but hinted that he would act swiftly on a bill introduced by council member Tommy Wells, Ward 6 Democrat, to repeal authority for online gambling. Mr. Evans' committee on Friday heard hours of testimony on the proposal and Inspector General Charles J. Willoughby’s overdue report on it.

“To say we approved [online gambling] is a misnomer,” Mr. Evans, Ward 1 Democrat, said after the hearing. He was referring to a December 2009 vote to approve the city’s $38 million lottery award to Greek firm Intralot and partner Veterans Service Corp.

“We approved the chief financial officer’s ability to add options to the lottery contract, but we were talking about scratch-off lottery games, not an entirely new concept,” Mr. Evans said.

To date, Nevada is the only other state in the US to approve legalized online poker within its borders.

- Ace King, Gambling911.com