Washington DC Online Gambling Law Repealed

Washington D.C.'s controversial online gambling law has been repealed by the city council in a 10-2 vote held on Tuesday.

The law was originally put into place over a year ago after a measure was snuck into a city budget bill. Since that time the law has been under intense scrutiny due to how the lottery contract in general was awarded. Many council members calling for the law to be repealed immediately after it was passed as part of the budget. The law was never implemented, and council members will have to start from scratch if they wish to bring online gambling back to the district.

City Councillor Jack Evans has been among the most vocal opponents of the online gambling law. Speaking to the Council, Evans said “There are so many questions about the lottery contract. It was really not done the way it should have been done.”

The bill to repeal the law was co-sponsored by fellow Councillor Tommy Wells who said “I certainly have a lot of questions about the process of selecting the (local) partner in the lottery contract, and that’s a conversation I will be having with Mr. Evans.”

Online gaming company Intralot was originally set to provide lottery and gaming services to Washington D.C., but appears to be keeping an upbeat tone. Company Spokesman Byron Boothe said “Intralot is disappointed in the council vote today. We look forward to assisting the D.C. Lottery as they move forward in exploring their space in today’s ever-changing gaming world.”