Confusion abounds in Washington D.C. following a June 29 hearing on i-gaming issues. The hearing was called to discuss legislation that was enacted in December after being stealthily attached to a budget bill by Council member Michael Brown, who now finds himself the subject of conflict of interests questioning.
Apparently the provisions related to i-gaming had never been discussed by the Council, and several Council members now claim they didn’t even know what they had enacted. Although it is true that there never was a hearing or public debate until now, it would be quite shocking if Council members hadn’t known about the legislation.
“Maybe some people didn’t read the budget,” says Brown.
The law, if followed through, would enable the city of Washington D.C. to operate games within its borders, making it the very first district in the U.S. to do so. The city’s Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan appeared at the hearing to say he believed the plan complied with federal law. Nathan also said he has sought the federal Justice Department’s opinion but has not yet received a response.
For further details, see the following articles in the Washington Post:
D.C. Council challenges plans for rolling out virtual casino
D.C. plans to launch online casino
DC readies nation’s first government-run online poker operation, and stakes will be low
