Washington, D.C.’s entertainment scene has experienced marked shifts in recent years, with the city embracing sports betting in 2020. Since then, mobile wagering has swelled in popularity; in 2024, the district reported a total sports betting handle of $461.6 million, marking a 172% increase from the previous year. These developments signal a more overarching inclination toward modernizing leisure options in the district without sacrificing its unique identity.
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget now suggests the next logical step: regulated poker, blackjack and bingo tournaments. Dissimilar to the large-scale casino resorts common in other states, the city aims to incorporate these traditional card games into existing hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. This strategy intends to boost visitor choices while concurrently supporting local hospitality businesses and preserving the city’s established character.
A Strategic Budget Move with Measurable Benefits
The move toward poker and blackjack is far from impulsive—the proposal, known as the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act of 2025, outlines a two-year study period to evaluate how best to implement these table games. It introduces a regulatory framework requiring venues to apply through the Office of Lottery and Gaming, pay an application fee of $5,000 and an additional $2,000 per location. Taxation is set at 25% of gross gaming revenue for poker and blackjack, with bingo subject to a lower fee structure and a 7.5% tax rate.
The city’s initial financial commitment is relatively modest, starting at $249,000 in the first year and increasing to $1 million by 2029. Similar regulatory models in other jurisdictions have demonstrated the potential to boost annual gaming revenue by millions while expanding employment opportunities. Local officials anticipate this initiative will generate new revenue streams, create jobs for dealers and hospitality staff and augment the ecosystem of venues that can host such events.
Tourism and Local Business Stand to Gain
The potential impact on tourism and local businesses could be considerable. Imagine a hotel in D.C. where visitors can participate in a blackjack tournament after a long day of conferences or a restaurant hosting weekly poker nights that draw regular patrons. These offerings provide added appeal for tourists while encouraging locals to engage more frequently with nearby venues. Experience from other states, notably Florida and Nevada, shows that integrating table games into hospitality settings can serve as a strong economic catalyst.
In fact, Nevada’s latest fiscal-year data reports table and card game revenue surged to $5.4 billion, up 13% over the year before—while still functioning within broader resort operations—highlighting the strong consumer appetite and profitable outcomes of such integrations. Industry experts point to licensing fees and moderate taxation as incentives that make it viable for mid‑size businesses to enter the gaming space. According to Ian Thomas, a gaming‑law attorney, affordable licensing combined with well‑regulated oversight makes this a sustainable model.
Widening the Lens: From Table Games to Sportsbook Integration
Tracing the evolution of Washington, D.C.’s entertainment and leisure options reveals a carefully planned expansion. The initial step into online sports betting in 2020 transitioned from GambetDC to FanDuel in April 2024, improving service and attracting more users. Meanwhile, physical sportsbooks have been incorporated into major venues, such as BetMGM at Nationals Park and FanDuel at Audi Field, providing convenient wagering opportunities for sports fans.
The addition of regulated card tables like poker and blackjack adds a classic gaming element to this diverse offering. Alongside these developments, betting advice such as this Betwhale sportsbook review continues to emerge, with expert reviews highlighting their distinctive features in an increasingly competitive gambling marketplace. Here, enhanced digital tools and seamless mobile access further integrate these options, elevating user engagement. This ongoing convergence of card games and sportsbook platforms reflects a trend toward layered entertainment experiences designed to appeal to a wide range of preferences.
Challenges and Balancing Winds
Despite the potential benefits, expanding gambling options in D.C. presents challenges that demand careful management. The regulatory system will need to increase its scope to handle new complexities, including thorough background checks for operators, ongoing venue compliance monitoring and the implementation of responsible gaming safeguards. Attorney Ian Thomas stresses that operators must commit to structured oversight protocols and discussions have addressed the necessity of funding addiction prevention initiatives.
However, the current budget proposal does not explicitly allocate funds for problem gambling associated with these new table games. Local behavioral health authorities maintain that treatment and support services are available, but increased gambling activity—reflected in the U.S. sports betting market soaring to $13.71 billion in revenue in 2024, a 25.4% rise over the previous year—may require additional resources. Securing public approval hinges on transparent governance, robust consumer protections and clear plans to reinvest portions of gaming revenue into community programs aimed at mitigating gambling-related harm.
In Summary
Washington, D.C. stands on the cusp of integrating regulated poker and blackjack tournaments alongside its established sports wagering framework. The 2026 budget proposal lays the foundation for a pilot program embedded within existing hotels, restaurants and sports venues. This approach targets manageable licensing costs, substantial tax revenues and expanded employment opportunities in hospitality and gaming roles.
Local entertainment operators could benefit from the margins associated with hosting additional events while tourists and residents might find an enriched scope of leisure activities. However, critical to the success of this initiative will be vigilant oversight, comprehensive consumer protections and addiction safeguards that maintain public trust. If implemented, D.C. could serve as a model for other urban areas seeking to balance gaming expansion with community values in a measured and sustainable fashion.
