Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Champions Amendment to Ensure Minority-Owned Small Businesses are a Part of New Sports Wagering Industry

Amendment Prioritizes Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) and Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) and Establishes Capacity Building and Pipeline Program

The Underlying Bill, Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018, Already Included McDuffie Proposal that Revenue be Directed Toward Public Safety in the form of Violence Interruption Efforts

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Council of the District of Columbia passed the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 [B22-0944] incorporating Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie’s amendment to ensure this new industry includes a robust program to include women- and minority-owned small local businesses. As Chair of Committee of Business and Economic Development, Councilmember McDuffie crafted the amendment to incentivize firms already in the industry, largely located outside the District, to partner with CBEs and SBEs. It also establishes the Sports Wagering Small Business Development Program which will facilitate training and capacity building programs and requires the District of Columbia Auditor to evaluate the performance of the sports wagering platform.

The legislation already included a provision championed by Councilmember McDuffie to require that half of the proceeds be reinvested in the public safety of our communities in the form of violence interruption and trauma-informed public safety initiatives. Councilmember McDuffie, author of the District’s innovative public safety legislation, the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act, has a long record of supporting a public health approach to preventing violent crime.

With the passage of the legislation, Councilmember McDuffie said:

“This new industry offers the opportunity to be intentional about who operates and ultimately profits from sports wagering in the District. I am proud to have authored this amendment that will create opportunities for our minority- and women-owned small businesses. Despite progress, the District of Columbia still has a staggering wealth gap between white residents and residents of color. It is my hope that, with this amendment, the sports wagering industry will move us closer to closing that gap.”

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