Casino.org reported last month that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia have decided to put tax revenue allocated for problem gambling to the general fund.
The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), a trade association of sportsbook operators, says D.C. should rethink the decision.
When Bowser signed the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act in January 2019, revenue from the 10 percent tax was allocated for pediatric care and early childhood development. A small portion—up to $200,000 per year—was earmarked for responsible gaming resources.
The Alliance submitted testimony to the Council’s Committee on Health during the city’s fiscal 2024 Budget Oversight hearings. The sports betting group said the mayor and council should allocate the problem gambling money as initially directed to better protect bettors and the public.
The SBA said members offer in-app tools to help players manage their gambling habits and prevent or limit problem gambling. Such resources include self-limits on time spent on the platform, caps on deposits and betting amounts, and self-exclusion.
The SBA also offers responsible gaming training to new employees. But these initiatives work best when jurisdictions like D.C. support a program as well. “These internal protections are most effective when complemented by a publicly administered problem gaming treatment and prevention program,” the SBA testified.
The D.C. Lottery’s sportsbook app—GambetDC—provides retail locations in kiosks throughout the district.
