Legal Poker Roundup – DC Close to Repeal, NC Close to Deal, ND to Spin Lotto Wheel

In today’s legal roundup, D.C. may be close to a repeal of their internet gaming initiative, North Carolina may be close to instituting live card games, and North Dakota is the latest state to consider online lotto sales.

Repeal of Internet Gaming Gains Support of D.C. Mayor

In a blow to the internet gambling initiative in Washington D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray now supports a repeal of the measure. Coming just a few days prior to the D.C. counsel’s vote on whether to repeal the program could be added incentive to put an end to the controversial measure.

Pedro Ribeiro explained the following as the Mayor’s reasoning, “His view is that this has become so messy, and there are so many questions about this, let’s repeal it and take a step back. It’s not something so absolutely critical to the future of the city that we need to do this.”

Even if this measure is repealed, this may not mean the end for internet gaming in D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) has stated that he feels the council will create a new measure, but with more specific instructions on what form the program should take.

North Carolina May be Close to Live Table Games

Live table games could be on their way to North Carolina soon. Governor Bev Perdue says that a recently introduced compact with the state’s Cherokee Indians is close to a resolution, meaning that live poker and blackjack could be offered at Harrah’s Cherokee soon.

The main hurdle now seems to be whether it will pass in the state legislature. The bill is being touted as a way to produce more jobs for the state as live table games would produce an extra 400 jobs for the community. In addition, live table games would produce $2.5 Million for schools.

As the agreement stands now, Vegas-style card games will be offered at Harrah’s Cherokee, replacing the now video gaming that the casino currently employs. According to Gov. Perdue’s spokesperson, “Gov. Perdue is focused on finalizing the compact with the Cherokee because it will create jobs and inject much-needed funding into our classrooms.”

North Dakota to Investigate Internet Lottery Sales

North Dakota is the latest state to consider the sale of online lottery tickets. While many think this is the “wave of the future”, retailers in the state fear it could hurt business.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem stated, “I certainly want to be careful that we’re not interfering with the good relationship we’ve developed with the retailers in North Dakota. We want to make sure we’re not cutting them out of the process.”

However, president of the North Dakota Retail Association thinks that this should be an “all-in or nothing proposition.” He believes that if online sales are approved, that they should do away with the live network of lottery sales.

North Dakota does actually already sell ticket subscriptions online, but not individual tickets. Online subscription sales account for 2 percent of the $23 Million of tickets sold annually.

Stenehjem does caution against using the Justice Department ruling on the Wire Act as the basis of online lottery legalization. He points out that the opinion does not carry the weight of a court ruling and speculates that if President Obama is forced out of office in November, the next administration could reverse the ruling.