Washington DC could legalize sports betting soon

Councilmember Jack Evans introduced the "Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018" on Tuesday morning. The plan is to legalize betting at places like bars, hotels, stadiums and arenas with Vegas-like machines and on cell phones with an app. 

If the proposed legislation passes the council, it could become law as soon as the start of next year’s baseball season, WJLA reports.

Nevada — and now Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi and West Virginia — all allow sports betting after the Supreme Court reversed the 1992 ban on sports gambling on May 14. Councilmember Jack Evans wants to add Washington DC to the list. West Virginia is even advertising in the DC Metro area which means District residents’ money could leave the region if they want to gamble on a game.

Today I will introduce the "Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018" during the Council's Committee of the Whole meeting. The legislation's purpose is to legalize sports betting in D.C. while creating strong regulatory structures that ensure consumer confidence. pic.twitter.com/zi4UBV4fvC

— Jack Evans (@JackEvansWard2) 18 de septiembre de 2018

Figures released Sept. 12 by state gambling regulators show that New Jersey gamblers plunked down more than $95 million on sporting events, more than twice as much as a month earlier.

That’s why Evans wants to open the doors of legal sports gambling.

Each year, Americans place nearly $150 billion on illegal sports bets, according to the American Sports Betting Coalition.

“Let’s be frank, it’s definitely underground,” Carl Mobley said.

Mobley likes to gamble on games and to keep it legal, he drives about two hours northeast but would like to stay local.

“It would keep me from having to make trips all the way to Delaware,” he said.

“I think it’s a great idea to bring sports betting here legally because it’s actually something that would generate more revenue, more jobs. And of course, more revenue and more jobs means happier people,” said Nikki Smith-Lee, a Prince George’s County resident.

Evans believes the big opportunity is with cell phones. The bill would allow for the creation of a phone application, run by the DC Lottery, that would allow people to place wagers.

“I envision a time where I can be sitting in my living room watching a baseball game or at Nats Park and bet $5 that Bryce Harper will swing at the next pitch," he said. "I mean I think that’s where this is going and I want to be in the forefront of that because there’s going to be a lot of money to be made."

If everything goes to plan, the bill could be presented at a hearing in October, then sent to a markup committee. It could become law in February or March.