No fast-tracked sports betting laws for Washington DC

There will be no special treatment given to proposed sports betting laws in the US capital.

6 years ago 0 3

A move to fast-track the legalisation of sports betting in Washington, DC has fallen flat.

The Council of the District of Columbia has decided not to classify the proposed law changes as a matter of emergency that needs immediate resolution.

Instead, the legislation will have to navigate a public hearing as per standard procedure.

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DC lawmakers had hoped to dodge a significant portion of the bureaucratic process and launch a regulated sports gambling industry by the summer of 2019.

That timeline looks unlikely now that the locals will have the opportunity to voice their opinions.

At the heart of the proposal is a controversial move to grant DC Lotteries sole regulatory powers over sportsbook operators in the district.

Critics say the firm is ill-equipped for the task because it has only one licensed operator – Intralot – on the books at present.