Lottery director outlines central gaming system procurement, warns on offshore ‘sweepstakes’ and describes new games proposals

Thomas R. Burnside, the new Executive Director of the Office of Lottery and Gaming, briefed the Committee on Business and Economic Development on the agency’s FY26 budget, the planned replacement of its central gaming system, and regulatory priorities including online sweepstakes and proposed new card‑gaming and commercial bingo authorizations in local Budget Support Act subtitles.

Why it matters: OLG runs the District’s lottery, iLottery and oversees gaming regulation. Changes in its systems and regulatory roles affect retail operators, consumer protections, tax transfers to the general fund, and enforcement priorities.

OLG finances and staffing: Burnside said the mayor’s proposed FY26 OLG operating budget is approximately $272.4 million, down about $79.5 million (22.6%) from FY25’s $352 million; the variance largely reflects the consequences of the 2024 sports‑wagering law that moved operations and related revenue streams out of OLG’s enterprise flow and left the agency in a primarily regulatory role. The FY26 request includes funding for 98 FTEs, an increase of four positions to expand regulation and oversight for newly proposed commercial card gaming and bingo responsibilities. During questioning he said OLG had 11 current vacancies and that, because most OLG funds are enterprise rather than local funds, “there is no vacancy savings” line on the agency’s Schedule A.

Central gaming system procurement:…