A lawmaker in Washington D.C. has proposed a bill that would legalize online casino gambling while banning dual-currency sweepstakes gaming in the District.
Councilmember Wendell Felder’s Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026 (B26-0656) would establish a regulated market for online casino games, along with consumer protection, licensing and taxation rules.
The bill also proposes a ban on dual-currency sweepstakes gaming platforms that allow virtual credits like sweepstakes coins to be exchanged directly or indirectly for cash or prizes. Penalties would reach up to US$100,000 per violation, increasing to US$500,000 for repeat offenses.
Councilmember Felder’s bill proposes an age limit of 21, along with a 25% tax on operator gross gaming revenue and an initial licensing fee of US$2 million.
