District of Columbia Opens Doors to Online Casinos

Online gaming in the District of Columbia could be set to undergo radical changes this year as the state prepares to open its doors to internet gambling. Officials have yet to reveal the time scale for such legislation but have already confirmed that they are in dialogue with a vendor. The online service will be operated by Intralot and promises to be accessible to those located within District borders only. The move will make D.C the first US jurisdiction to legalise online poker. The bill will operate within the constraints of the 2025 federal law which proscribes banks and card companies form processing online payments.

Commenting on the news, Council Member Michael A. Brown said that the legislation would play a crucial role in generating much needed revenue. He said that "budget shortfalls" could be aided by the industry which would also provide an invaluable contribution to the development of social service programs. With experts predicting that potential revenue of $14 million by 2025 alone, Brown was adamant that "no clear law" stood in the Council's way.

Other experts have raised concerns – suggesting that the existing financial estimate is wildly optimistic. Gaming specialist, Jeff Ifrah, alluded to the importance of player loyalty. Operators needed to seriously question whether players would be willing to leave "a trusted site with global competition" in favour of "a site that's untested and kind of unknown and doesn't offer you the same level of play". Further legislative details are expected to be released in forthcoming weeks. Be sure to stay updated on the American legal landscape here, as online casino gambling begins to truly take shape.