Whoever starts first will also write the regulation "handbook". What doesn't make sense is how can DC set-up the regulation infrastructure with such a low population of potential players. Maybe they want to be the Ipoker center of the US?

I don't think DC was thinking that far ahead, this just landed in their lap by luck. Huge portions of DC are very very very poor. DC has always habiutually had a difficult time raising revenue and keeping its budget balanced.

Its likely came about something like this:
Man the city needs more money.
How about a new lottery game?
Nah people don't seem interested.
What if the lottery offered poker? People like Poker. I saw it on TV.
That would be great but to difficult to setup
How about online?
.... SILENCE ....
How much do you think we could make....

Exactly!! Broke states are a beautiful thing for Ipoker.

Here are the proposed rules for the introduction of play money games in DC:

http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/Not...ticeid=1231432

Cliffs:

Players must be at least 19 year old.
Players must be located in Wash DC at the time of play.
Use of software to gain an unfair advantage is prohibited.
DC govt can monitor player computers to detect such use of software.
Collusion is prohibited.
Cheating and fraud is prohibited.
Player account can be seized and closed.
DC govt isn't liable for unauthorized access to player account.
DC govt isn't liable for computer/network malfunctions.
No other consumer/player protections.
Texas Hold'em is the only poker game authorized.

And a Washington Times article about it:

Online gambling readied to roll

I'm assuming this is just bad journalism?

Washington, D.C. Council Member Michael Brown:

"After a year-and-a-half of research, we decided online gambling made a lot of sense and moved on it."

Looks good. Glad they prohibit cheating and fraud.

Now lets just get us a start date. My wife is going to a conference in DC next spring and she wants me to go so we can "see the sites" would be nice to checkout DC new poker room.

Next spring is likely too early though... we are talking about the gubermints.

Haven't they announced September as the month real-money play will be available? Not saying that will actually happen, but pretty sure that was announced. Play money games in July, Real money games in September.

Wow that IS quick. Man to live in DC this September. I am guessing it would be redonkulous initially until the fishes get burned and start to cut back.

Should be interesting! Think I will go to the meeting on 6/29 and hear more.

Holder said he opposed legalizing online gambling. That by itself does not mean he is opposed to legalizing online poker.

I've never seen him say that he opposes legalizing online gambling. Does anyone recall him saying this? I guess it wouldn't surprise me though since a lot of the DOJ's business comes from gambling.

I think the operative words are "support efforts to legalize"....don't read too much into the phrase.....his job is to enforce...not create legislation

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...ling/?page=all

This could be a bad precedent.