DC Mayor Muriel Bowser wants poker and blackjack to fill budget voids
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is once again pushing for the legalization of poker and blackjack as part of a broader plan to strengthen the city’s economy. Her new legislative package, announced yesterday, aims to increase revenue streams, create jobs, and attract more visitors to the nation’s capital.
The proposal would allow regulated poker and blackjack gaming at bars, hotels, and other licensed venues. City officials believe this could expand DC’sD.C.’s entertainment options, draw tourists, and generate new tax dollars at a time when federal job cuts are expected to bring about a mild recession.
Bowser framed the plan as a critical step toward preparing DC for a shifting economic landscape. “It’s so important, especially now with the changing footprint of the federal government, that we are creating good-paying jobs for D.C. residents,” she said during the announcement.
The gaming measure is just one piece of the mayor’s larger “growth agenda.” Other proposals include making it easier for developers to overcome zoning challenges and allowing commercial property buyers to appeal tax bills at the time of purchase, both moves intended to revitalize the city’s struggling real estate market.
The package also introduces stricter rules for street vendors, requiring licenses to operate legally. That would reverse the City Council’s 2023 decriminalization of unlicensed vending and give police the authority to enforce compliance.
Still, Bowser faces an uphill climb. The Council previously rejected similar measures when she included them in her budget earlier this year. Lawmakers are expected to closely scrutinize the revived proposals during public hearings before taking a vote.
Meanwhile, DC has been offering grants to lure businesses into vacant office space, with companies like CannonDesign among the latest recipients. Together, these efforts reflect Bowser’s attempt to shift the city’s approach toward a more pro-business stance in a challenging financial climate.
