
Washington, DC, Could Soon Have Poker and Blackjack Table Games
Washington, DC, may soon feature live dealer blackjack and poker games if the mayor of the capital gets her wishes fulfilled.
In her suggested budget for the 2026 fiscal year, featuring $11.9 billion in local expenditures, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) aims to broaden gambling in the District by adding specific table games. DC currently hosts a city-operated lottery in addition to retail and mobile sports wagering.
As the city's economy changes due to the loss of around 40,000 federal employees during President Donald Trump's second term, Bowser states that new revenue sources are essential. The mayor’s financial plan features a variety of economic growth initiatives, such as the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act.
Should the Council of the District of Columbia give its approval, the city’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) would accept applications for those table game privileges. Companies must submit an application fee of $5,000, with yearly renewals priced at $1,500. Authorized poker and blackjack establishments might spend $2,000 annually for every extra site.
Businesses that sell alcohol must also obtain a “card gaming endorsement” from the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration annually for $500.
The law suggests that the city gather 25% of the income produced by the tables, with operators overseen by the OLG and obligated to file monthly reports to Glenn Lee, the city’s chief financial officer.
Blackjack ranks as one of the most favored table games for gamblers in the US. Although baccarat is favored internationally, 21, in addition to poker, roulette, and craps, enjoys great popularity in the United States.
City Sportsbooks Offering Table Games?
Bowser’s FY26 budget lacked a revenue forecast for the potential new gambling games. However, as the NFL Washington Commanders move back to the city in the next few years with a new stadium at the RFK site, introducing blackjack and poker games to the area would offer an additional appeal for Commanders and visiting NFL supporters.
Bowser’s condition for blackjack and poker does not prevent retail sportsbooks from offering the table games. Nationals Park, the venue for the MLB Washington Nationals, features a BetMGM Sportsbook on the premises. Caesars Sportsbooks provides retail sports betting at Capital One Arena, which is the venue for the NBA Washington Wizards, NHL Washington Capitals, WNBA Washington Mystics, and Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team.
The upcoming NFL site for the Commanders is expected to be an attractive spot for a retail sportsbook featuring table games.
Gaming Growth, Yet No Casinos
City authorities indicate they are pursuing new tax revenue via expanded gambling options, but they are not supporting the establishment of full-scale casinos. This is positive news for MGM Resorts, which runs MGM National Harbor right across the Potomac River in Maryland, featuring over 2,200 slot machines and 200 table games.
In an interview with ABC7 News, Nina Albert, the deputy mayor for planning and economic development in DC, stated that Bowser is merely contemplating potential economic drivers.
"The District has enjoyed healthy revenues over the last 20 years and has been growing over the last 20 years,” said Albert. “Our population has grown, our business base has grown, we want to continue doing that, but at this moment to ensure we’re still collecting tax revenue and, as importantly, have jobs for people to go into, we need to be exploring every avenue of growth, including sports and entertainment.”
In presenting the City Council with Bowser’s budget, Lee said the operating margin on the $11.9 billion allocation plan is only $500K. Balanced, but extraordinarily tight amid remaining fluctuating costs.