At-large D.C. Councilman Michael Brown, who unsuccessfully tried to legalize Internet gambling in the District, said Wednesday morning he was against the casino approved in Maryland for the National Harbor resort near the D.C. line. The legislation was signed Wednesday morning by Gov. Martin O’Malley and heads to the November ballot for approval by state voters.
“I just don’t think the District of Columbia is a place for casinos,” Brown told “NewsTalk” host Bruce DePuyt.
When DePuyt asked about Brown’s opinion in light of the fact that he was considered the “Godfather of iGaming,” Brown said he believed gambling on the Internet was a different matter.
“That’s why I just find it amazing … the level of opposition — even though it was a small minority of people — were so against iGaming, [and] I haven’t heard anything about the opening of a casino across the street from us,” Brown said.
If approved by the voters, the National Harbor casino in Prince George’s County would be located less than two miles from the D.C. line.
Brown submitted language in the city’s 2011 budget that legalized Internet gambling, although the measure was later repealed after lawmakers realized what they had approved. Brown has always maintained he did not “sneak” in legislation.
“My colleagues had two chances to read it … I can’t help it if my colleagues don’t read the legislation — that’s not my fault,” he told DePuyt on Wednesday.
