Jack Evans ReportNovember 16, 2011

I wanted to provide an update on the iGaming proposal that is currently under consideration by the Council and the District?s Lottery Board. The Lottery Modernization Amendment Act of 2010, which was a part of the ?Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010,? authorizes the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board to offer ?games of skill? and ?games of chance? via the Internet. Specifically, the proposal is to offer Internet games such as Texas Hold ?em Poker on computers in yet to be determined locations within the District.

In response to concerns from community members last spring, I asked the Lottery to schedule a number of community meetings to receive input on iGaming before moving forward with enabling these games in any neighborhoods. I subsequently requested that the Lottery move to further accommodate community members by postponing meetings originally scheduled for August to more convenient times in October and November, and am pleased that they have done so. My hope was that this change in schedule would allow more residents to return from out of town summer trips and be engaged in the community meeting process.

At this point, the Lottery has held at least 5 community meetings throughout the city ? meetings have been held in Wards 1, 4, 5, and 7, as well as an additional meeting held for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners. Staff members from my office have attended all these meetings to record community feedback, and I am also expecting a more formal report from the Lottery on these meetings to be given to my Committee.

Upcoming meetings are scheduled in Wards 3, 6, and 8, and most importantly, Ward 2. Our meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15 at the MLK Memorial Library (901 G Street NW). If you have thoughts on iGaming, please come to the meeting to share your views in person, or you may share thoughts or questions by emailing igamingdc@dc.gov. For more information, you can contact my office or visit the Lottery?s iGaming website at http://goo.gl/xe8hh.

Also, the Inspector General is conducting an investigation into the lottery and should have his findings available soon. After the conclusion of these community meetings, I intend to schedule a hearing to review the community input received and the Inspector General?s findings. I am reserving judgment at this point until all community feedback has been collected, so I look forward to hearing from you.