District of Columbia Votes to Repeal Online Poker Plans

09 Feb 2012 - by Josef Rantamaki

Potential plans to develop online gaming in the District of Columbia were rocked in midweek after the city council voted to repeal the legislation that was passed less than 18 months ago.

The news follows the Finance and Revenue Committee’s decision to send the legislation to a full council vote last week.

Concerns regarding an underlying lottery contract and the fact that internet gaming was not given its own public vetting process were two of the reasons why the program is thought to have failed to find any traction.

Council Member Jack Evans was among the 10 members who voted in favour of repeal. “I want to make sure we get the best deal for the city. I believe it should be set up, so the city gets the best price and the best revenue.”

Michael Brown, who added the legislation to the budget bill during 2010, had attempted to save the legislation by removing Intralot, a Greek gaming system provider, from the city’s contract but he was one of only two members to vote against the repeal.

Council member Marlon Barry believes the decision reflects poorly on the legislature as several members claimed to have had no idea on the subject matter of the legislation when it was initially passed.

“What kind of legislature are you? You are giving the public the impression you did not know what you voted for. This council already has a low approval rating…and you are telling me, you didn’t know you voted on something?”

Several council members countered Barry’s argument by suggesting that they are not entirely opposed to online poker and internet gambling but that they would prefer to wipe the slate clean and “start the debate from scratch.”