Legal and regulated sports betting could be coming to Washington DC by Spring 2019 says DC Councilmember.
In an interview with Legal Sports Report, Jack Evans a DC Councilmember said: “If everything falls into place, sports betting will be live by [MLB] opening day next year.”
Later this month the council’s Committee on Finance and Revenue is set to hold a public hearing where it will discuss the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act 2018,
This bill was introduced by Evans back in September.
Evans also told Legal Sports Report: “Here’s how I see it: we have a hearing on 17 October and if all goes well, the bill will be out of committee by the end of the month.”
In order for the bill to be passed, it will need to pass a vote from the Finance Committee and the entire 13-member council.
If passed the bill will then be brought before Congress for a 30-day review. If there are no issues with the bill in those 30 days then the bill will become law.
The main provisions of the bill state that the Office of Lottery and Gaming will be responsible for regulatory matters.
A sports betting licence will cost $50,000 and will last five years, operators will also have to pay 10% tax on gross sports betting revenue.
The bill also states that revenue generated will be put towards funding programs that support early childhood development, arts and humanities.
Although the bill does not mention an integrity fee, Evans did not rule it out completely.
It is purely speculation at this point, but it may be possible for wagers to be placed at sports arenas or even at hotels and sports bars.
According to the bill: “A sports wagering operator licence authorizes the operation of sports wagering at locations approved by the office and through any internet, mobile application or other digital platforms.”
Evans went on to tell Legal Sports Report that: “Hotels are a market that we want to tap into. The goal is to establish a model bill for the rest of the country to use.”
