Get ready to gamble, D.C.: a measure allowing the D.C. Lottery to administer online “games of skill and games of chance” — passed by the D.C. Council as part of an adjustment to the fiscal year 2011 budget in December — has now officially made it through the 30-day Congressional review period and will soon be placed on the books.

These days, working for the federal government doesn’t seem as safe a bet as it once did. Yet come Thursday, you may be able to switch one profession for another.

Last December, the D.C. Council passed a proposal in the approved budget that allows the D.C. Lottery to offer online “games of skill and games of chance” — that includes online poker. Of course, only those within the district’s limits will be allowed to play. City officials say that this coming Thursday marks the last day for Congress to raise objections and impose its rule over city affairs. Of course, Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah has already chimed in when the budget first passed, saying he was “absolutely, totally opposed” to the idea.