Washington DC Backtracks on Online Gambling

Just when it looked like US capital Washington DC would lead the way in online gambling regulation in the nation when it legalised the popular internet activity legal within in its borders, it seems to have done a shocking about turn.

Proponents of legalised and regulated online gambling in the US were shocked to learn that on Wednesday the Washington's Committee on Finance and Revenue voted 3 to 2 to repeal a law aimed at regulated online gambling.

The 12-Member Council will Vote to Repeal the Measure

The next step is that the 12-member council will vote to repeal the measure, possibly as early next week. According to an article which appeared in the New York Post this week, nine of the council members are in favour of a repeal.

If repealed, this will be a big blow for the legalisation and regulation of online gambling not only in Washington DC, but in the United States in general. It is no secret that most gamblers in the United State are pro-online gambling.

The move to legalise online gaming in Washington DC was spearheaded by official Washington lotto operator, DC Lottery, which had been actively working on an implementation and roll out of online gambling since early 2011.

Amendment to Act in 2010 Aimed to Allow Online Gambling

The reason is that in late 2010, the City Council for the District of Columbia passed an amendment to its Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act designed to permit residents of the District to partake in online gambling.

As part of its roll out, DC Lottery was planning to use DC-Net , a high-speed fibre-optic network for voice, data, video and wireless telecommunications for both public and government in Washington, to offer gaming online.

Using DC-Net would kill two birds with one stone in that it would ensure a highly secure and safe connection for gambling games to be played as well as restrict online gaming to users that reside within Washington DC's borders.

DC Lottery Planned to Partner with Greek lotto firm Intralot

DC Lottery reportedly also had plans to form a partnership with leading Greek lotto firm Intralot to launch a host of play money games and then real money games a few months down the line on the website, iGamingDC.com.

Said Council member Jack Evans on the Washington DC online gambling repeal which he spearheaded, 'We just need to start over', referring to the fact that questions have been raised regarding the District's association with DC Lottery.