Washington, D.C., October 1, 2025 – D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is taking another swing at legalizing poker in the nation’s capital, rolling out the Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act of 2025 as part of a pro-business agenda designed to juice the economy, attract tourism, and create jobs.
The legislation would authorize live poker, blackjack, and bingo for players 18 and over, with a 25 percent tax on gross gaming revenue and oversight from the D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming. While poker remains illegal inside the District, thousands of residents regularly drive across the border to Maryland casinos. Bowser wants that money staying in D.C.
Bowser first floated poker in her FY2026 budget presentation earlier this year, telling lawmakers the game’s popularity is undeniable: “They tell me it’s hot.” Deputy Mayor Nina Albert said the move could position D.C. to host national-level poker tournaments, drawing both domestic and international visitors to bolster the city’s entertainment profile.
The push comes at a critical time. D.C. logged a 6 percent unemployment rate in August, fueled by federal job cuts and a sluggish labor market. Bowser’s team sees legalized gaming as one lever in a broader economic diversification plan, which also includes grants for businesses that move into vacant office space.
Still, the path is anything but certain. Similar proposals have been shot down in prior council reviews, and resistance remains among members wary of expanding gaming. Bowser, however, appears ready to double down, casting poker as a tool for revitalization rather than vice.
Whether the cards fall in her favor this time will depend on how the council weighs new tax revenue, tourism potential, and local jobs against concerns about problem gambling. For now, the mayor has put her chips back on the table.
