WASHINGTON -- Sports betting will be coming to D.C., per a final vote by D.C. City Council on Tuesday to pass legislation on it.
“We’re venturing in a new territory with sports gaming. I’m very excited that the District will be out of the box with this,” said Council member Evans, who was a sponsor of the bill.
The bill legalized online and in-person sports gambling.
Revenue generated from the bill would go towards anti-violence programs and early childhood development programs, Evans said.
Council member McDuffie introduced an amendment Tuesday that would create requirements to allow small and minority-owned businesses get involved in sports betting. This includes a sports wagering development program, which establishes training and reporting requirements, as well as creates a discounted fee for licensing for small and minority owned businesses. It passed unanimously.
However, on the bill as a whole, Council member Grosso explained that he had “philosophical” objections and argued that low-income neighborhoods are more likely to gamble and could become addicted.
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“Think considerably about the impact on the very people we should be giving opportunities to,” he said Tuesday.
The bill passed 11-2, with Council members Grosso and Nadeau dissenting, following their previous voting pattern.
It now goes to Mayor Bowser for her signature and then to the U.S. Senate for a 30-day review period.
