D.C. Mayor Bowser makes fresh bid to legalize poker, blackjack and bingo

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser is pushing to legalize poker, blackjack, and commercial bingo to boost the city’s finances and tourism. The Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act of 2025 would allow regulated tournaments in licensed bars, hotels, and event spaces for adults 18 and older. Operators would pay a $5,000 application fee for a two-year license plus $2,000 per location, with poker and blackjack taxed at 25% and bingo at 7.5%. The plan also allocates $497,000 to hire four new regulators to oversee the expanded gaming.