D.C. City Council May Repeal Online Gambling Law

Washington D.C. City Councillor Jack Evans has called a hearing set for today to decide whether or not the council will try to repeal the city's online gambling law.

Among the issues surrounding the controversial law are the odd way that the contracts were awarded and how the law was snuck into a financial measure last year.

Speaking to the the Associated Press, Evans said he would attempt to move the bill out of his finance and revenue committee and would vote to have the gambling law repealed once it goes before the whole council.

"We just need to start over." Evans said, although he said he has no plans to do this.

One of the biggest complaints about he internet gambling law is how Intralot got a $39 million contract that was originally intended to bring about "nontraditional games". Later on the contract was amended by the city council's Chief Financial Officer to include internet games. Then in 2010, Councillor Michael A. Brown tacked an internet gambling measure onto the budget bill which made D.C. the first area in America to legalize the activity.

Other than Evans, City Council members Muriel Bowser and David Catania have voiced their opinion in repealing the law. Two other Councillors will vote against repealing the law.