A DC Council committee will vote on B26-0656, the bill's first movement since its only hearing on May 4. The bill would legalize online casinos and ban dual-currency sweepstakes casinos, and few legislative days remain this year.
The District’s online casino bill is moving again, with little time to spare.
The calendar is tight. Council Period 26 closes at 11:59 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2027. Any bill that has not cleared the full process by then must start over in Council Period 27.
The committee’s makeup may help. Its members include the bill’s sponsor, Wendell Felder, along with Christina Henderson and Zachary Parker. The committee also oversees the Office of Lottery and Gaming, which would regulate the new market.
The bill pairs legal online casinos with a sweepstakes ban
Felder said in his introduction letter that the bill is meant to authorize, regulate and tax internet gaming in the District. If it passes, DC would join the small group of jurisdictions with legal online casinos.
The bill would also ban dual-currency sweepstakes casinos, and it comes with enforcement tools. The Office of Lottery and Gaming could send cease-and-desist letters. The DC Attorney General could go to court and seize profits.
Launch would not be immediate. The introduced bill says internet gaming cannot start until the District’s chief financial officer certifies that the regulatory system is ready.
Sportsbook licensees stand to move first
The licensing terms favor operators already in the District. Suppliers would pay $50,000 to apply and $25,000 to renew. There is no cap on operator licenses, and each operator could run up to two skins.
Holders of a DC sports wagering operator license or another gaming license would get expedited review. The Office of Lottery and Gaming could rely on earlier background checks. BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel all offer online sports betting in DC.
Industry support was visible at the May hearing. Caesars, DraftKings and BetMGM all backed the bill. Thomas R. Burnside, executive director of the Office of Lottery and Gaming, testified and attached proposed changes to the bill.
October Was Full of Treats!
October was a big month for DC Lottery players! Over $9 million in total prizes were won across DC Lottery games this October. From scratch-off tickets to DC 5 and iLottery games, players had plenty of exciting wins to celebrate.
Congratulations… pic.twitter.com/1PszcyW9Uo
— DC Lottery (@DCLottery) November 15, 2026
The regulator also flagged a trade-off for its own business. Its director acknowledged that online casinos could eat into iLottery sales. He said online casino revenue would offset any losses.
Any amendments adopted at markup will show whether Burnside’s proposed changes made it into the committee version. Once the committee has voted on Nov. 18, the full Council’s remaining legislative meetings fall on Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.
Sources
- COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING (Council of the District of Columbia)
- PUBLIC HEARING ON B26-0656 INTERNET GAMING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2026 (DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer)
- What you need to know as we approach the end of Council Period 26 (Office of the Secretary, Council of the District of Columbia)
- Proposed D.C. Online Casinos Could Pressure MD, VA To Legalize (Legal Sports Report)
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