- Online Gambling Washington State Laws
- Online Gambling Washington State Law Schools
- Washington State Law Online Gambling
- Online Gambling Washington State Lawyer
- Online Gambling Washington State Law School
Washington gambling laws allow casinos, horse racing, a state lottery, and
most other forms of gaming.
Democratic Governor Jay Inslee signed a sports betting bill into law March 25, 2020. HB 2638 allows the state's Class III tribal casinos to open retail sportsbooks under the authority of the Washing Gambling Commission. Each of Washington's tribal casinos may begin taking wagers on casino property once properly licensed. State policy—2006 c 290: 'It is the policy of this state to prohibit all forms and means of gambling, except where carefully and specifically authorized and regulated.
But they're strict when it comes to gambling online.
In addition to discussing Washington's online gambling laws, we'll also
cover offshore gaming sites, land-based gambling laws in Washington, where to gamble in Washington, Washington's
gambling history and the future of gambling in Washington
Online Gambling and Washington Law
Is Online Gambling Legal in Washington?
No, online gambling is not legal in Washington. The Washington Revised Code
strictly prohibits the transmission of gambling information over the internet.
This law applies to both players and operators.
Washington is one of the few states with specific laws on the books about
online gambling.
Here's what the Washington State Gambling Commission website says about
internet gambling:
'The Washington
State Constitution (Article II Section 24) prohibits all gambling activities
unless the activity is specifically authorized in State law. Internet gambling
has never been authorized and is illegal in Washington State.
To further clarify this, in 2006, the Washington State Legislature amended RCW
9.46.240 to affirmatively state that Internet gambling is illegal in
Washington State.
The penalty for transmitting gambling information was also increased from a
gross misdemeanor to a class C felony.
It is illegal to:
- Operate an Internet gambling site.
- Gamble on the Internet.
- Install or maintain equipment to send or receive gambling information.
- Facilitate Internet gambling in any way.'
Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in Washington?
Yes, you can get arrested for gambling online in Washington. It's a felony to
gamble online in Washington, which seems like a strict penalty when compared to
many other states, where it's usually a misdemeanor.
But we couldn't find record of any individual who has been arrested for
gambling online in Washington.
Law enforcement in Washington doesn't have much interested in pursuing
individual online gamblers; they're interested in residents who are running
illegal casinos online and on land.
Is Washington Going to Legalize Online Gaming?
It's safe to say that since Washington went to the length of specifically
prohibiting online gambling and making it a felony, they most likely won't
legalize online gambling.
Although Washington gambling sites could bring revenue into the state, it
seems that Washington is set on outlawing all forms of online gambling.
It's possible that with some political changes and a push from the current
casinos, online gambling could come to Washington, but it would be a long time
before we saw any change.
How Do I Choose a Good Online Gaming Site?
Our best advice to all our readers is to follow the laws in your state. But
if you're going to risk it, you can find Washington gambling sites operating in
other countries. These are companies who don't mind skirting the legal situation
in the state.
If you decide to play at one of these sites, you need to take appropriate
steps to find one that's legitimate.
Choosing a good online gaming site can be easy if you know what to look for.
- Deposit Options
Check the deposit options available on the site. If you
don't feel comfortable using the deposit options available, look for a different
site. Also check the withdrawal options. - Game Variety
Look into the all the games that the site offers. You want to
make sure there's enough content to keep you entertained. - Read Reviews
Read reviews from current or past members of the site. Reading
reviews can be the most crucial part of your research because it gives you the
best idea of what you can expect from the website. - Talk to Customer Service
Email, call, or live chat with the customer
service team of the website you're considering. You don't have to have a real
question; just come up with anything. The point of contacting the customer
service department is to see how professional and quick they are. - Read the Small Print
Read the fine print on the sign-up promotions. Some
promotions seem too good to be true, and they usually are. Reading the fine
print about the promotion tells you how much you have to wager or how long you
have to be a member before you get the promotional value.
Are Offshore Gambling Sites Safe?
Checking how long a site has been in business and reviewing their licenses
can let you know if a site is safe.
For any business to stay open, they have to have customers. Check how long
the site has been in business and it will give you a good idea about if they
have loyal customers that are happy with the site. A site that has been open 10
years has more loyal customers and more reviews than a site that has been open
10 months.
Offshore gambling sites have different restrictions and regulations when
getting their license than businesses in the U.S. do. Read into the details of
the regulations they have to follow to learn about the fees and restrictions the
site might have.
Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Washington?
No, daily fantasy sports are illegal in Washington.
Here's what the Washington State Gambling Commission Spots Wagering page says
about it:
'In 1973, when the Gambling Act was first passed 100 square sports pool
boards were authorized. We believe these boards were popular at the time and
that's why they were specifically authorized. We understand the NCAA basketball
'Final Four' tournament and the bracket pools often associated with the
tournament increased in popularity after 1979 when ESPN aired on television.
However, bracket pools, office sports pools, and fantasy sports have never been
authorized as gambling activities in Washington State and are illegal.'
Also On This Page
Gambling Venues in Washington
The History of Gaming Laws in Washington
More Gambling Laws in Washington
- Casino Games (Legal)
- Lottery (Legal)
- Sports and Race Betting (Parimuteul Only)
- Bingo (Charitable games only)
- Social Gambling (Illegal Eith Exceptions)
The Washington Revised Code defines gambling as:
'staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of
chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence,
upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive
something of value in the event of a certain outcome. Gambling does not include
fishing derbies as defined by this chapter, parimutuel betting and handicapping
contests'
Casino Games: Legal
Casinos can be found throughout Washington. Most casinos in Washington are
tribal casinos.
Tribal casinos are authorized for class three games, so you can find your
favorite casino games, including craps, poker, blackjack, and roulette, at these
casinos.
Here's a list of the authorized card games that card rooms in these casinos
can offer:
Online Gambling Washington State Laws
Sports and Race Betting: Parimutuel Only
Parimutuel, or pool betting, is legal in Washington.
Here's what the Washington State Gambling Commission Sports Wagering page
says:
'Both businesses and individuals may offer 100 square sports pool boards.
Strict rules must be followed when offering them (RCW 9.46.0335).
- Each business or individual may offer only one board on any single athletic event.
- The board must be divided into 100 squares.
- You may charge up to one dollar per square. Each player must be charged the same entry fee (up to one dollar per square).
- Each player picks a square and their name is written in the square.
- Numbers representing game scores are randomly assigned to each square.
You should develop and post house rules for how the sports pool board will be
operated. For example, a deadline for collecting prize money, winner
identification, requirements for someone other than a winner collecting a prize,
what will happen if there is a tie, and how money will be distributed if a
winning square is not sold.
The sports pool board must be available for inspection by anyone purchasing a
square, Gambling Commission agents, and other law enforcement representatives.
These limitations apply to all sporting events equally (Super Bowl, Final
Four, etc.).
It is illegal to have a sports pool board where you:
- Have more than one board per athletic event;
- Offer anything other than 100 squares;
- or Charge more than one dollar per square.
The 100 square sports pool board is the only sports wagering authorized in
Washington State law.'
Greyhound racing is illegal in Washington. Here's what the Washington Revised
Code says about greyhound racing:
'A person may not hold, conduct, or operate live greyhound racing for public
exhibition, parimutuel betting, or special exhibition events, if such activities
are conducted for gambling purposes. A person may not transmit or receive
intrastate or interstate simulcasting of greyhound racing for commercial,
parimutuel, or exhibition purposes, if such activities are conducted for
gambling purposes.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a class B felony, under RCW
9.46.220, professional gambling in the first degree, and is subject to the
penalty under RCW 9A.20.021″
- Deposit Options
Check the deposit options available on the site. If you
don't feel comfortable using the deposit options available, look for a different
site. Also check the withdrawal options. - Game Variety
Look into the all the games that the site offers. You want to
make sure there's enough content to keep you entertained. - Read Reviews
Read reviews from current or past members of the site. Reading
reviews can be the most crucial part of your research because it gives you the
best idea of what you can expect from the website. - Talk to Customer Service
Email, call, or live chat with the customer
service team of the website you're considering. You don't have to have a real
question; just come up with anything. The point of contacting the customer
service department is to see how professional and quick they are. - Read the Small Print
Read the fine print on the sign-up promotions. Some
promotions seem too good to be true, and they usually are. Reading the fine
print about the promotion tells you how much you have to wager or how long you
have to be a member before you get the promotional value.
Are Offshore Gambling Sites Safe?
Checking how long a site has been in business and reviewing their licenses
can let you know if a site is safe.
For any business to stay open, they have to have customers. Check how long
the site has been in business and it will give you a good idea about if they
have loyal customers that are happy with the site. A site that has been open 10
years has more loyal customers and more reviews than a site that has been open
10 months.
Offshore gambling sites have different restrictions and regulations when
getting their license than businesses in the U.S. do. Read into the details of
the regulations they have to follow to learn about the fees and restrictions the
site might have.
Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Washington?
No, daily fantasy sports are illegal in Washington.
Here's what the Washington State Gambling Commission Spots Wagering page says
about it:
'In 1973, when the Gambling Act was first passed 100 square sports pool
boards were authorized. We believe these boards were popular at the time and
that's why they were specifically authorized. We understand the NCAA basketball
'Final Four' tournament and the bracket pools often associated with the
tournament increased in popularity after 1979 when ESPN aired on television.
However, bracket pools, office sports pools, and fantasy sports have never been
authorized as gambling activities in Washington State and are illegal.'
Also On This Page
Gambling Venues in Washington
The History of Gaming Laws in Washington
More Gambling Laws in Washington
- Casino Games (Legal)
- Lottery (Legal)
- Sports and Race Betting (Parimuteul Only)
- Bingo (Charitable games only)
- Social Gambling (Illegal Eith Exceptions)
The Washington Revised Code defines gambling as:
'staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of
chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence,
upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive
something of value in the event of a certain outcome. Gambling does not include
fishing derbies as defined by this chapter, parimutuel betting and handicapping
contests'
Casino Games: Legal
Casinos can be found throughout Washington. Most casinos in Washington are
tribal casinos.
Tribal casinos are authorized for class three games, so you can find your
favorite casino games, including craps, poker, blackjack, and roulette, at these
casinos.
Here's a list of the authorized card games that card rooms in these casinos
can offer:
Online Gambling Washington State Laws
Sports and Race Betting: Parimutuel Only
Parimutuel, or pool betting, is legal in Washington.
Here's what the Washington State Gambling Commission Sports Wagering page
says:
'Both businesses and individuals may offer 100 square sports pool boards.
Strict rules must be followed when offering them (RCW 9.46.0335).
- Each business or individual may offer only one board on any single athletic event.
- The board must be divided into 100 squares.
- You may charge up to one dollar per square. Each player must be charged the same entry fee (up to one dollar per square).
- Each player picks a square and their name is written in the square.
- Numbers representing game scores are randomly assigned to each square.
You should develop and post house rules for how the sports pool board will be
operated. For example, a deadline for collecting prize money, winner
identification, requirements for someone other than a winner collecting a prize,
what will happen if there is a tie, and how money will be distributed if a
winning square is not sold.
The sports pool board must be available for inspection by anyone purchasing a
square, Gambling Commission agents, and other law enforcement representatives.
These limitations apply to all sporting events equally (Super Bowl, Final
Four, etc.).
It is illegal to have a sports pool board where you:
- Have more than one board per athletic event;
- Offer anything other than 100 squares;
- or Charge more than one dollar per square.
The 100 square sports pool board is the only sports wagering authorized in
Washington State law.'
Greyhound racing is illegal in Washington. Here's what the Washington Revised
Code says about greyhound racing:
'A person may not hold, conduct, or operate live greyhound racing for public
exhibition, parimutuel betting, or special exhibition events, if such activities
are conducted for gambling purposes. A person may not transmit or receive
intrastate or interstate simulcasting of greyhound racing for commercial,
parimutuel, or exhibition purposes, if such activities are conducted for
gambling purposes.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a class B felony, under RCW
9.46.220, professional gambling in the first degree, and is subject to the
penalty under RCW 9A.20.021″
Lottery: Legal
Washington has a state-regulated lottery.
Here's what the Washington state lottery website says:
'In addition to Washington's Lottery players who took home $432.9 million
last year, the Lottery helps fund and support people and communities all over
the state. From the student who receives a college grant, to the convenience
store owner supporting his family, to the CenturyLink Stadium employee,
Washington's Lottery continues to contribute to the well-being of others with
its proceeds.'
The Washington state lottery revenue goes toward:
- Winners 61.6%
- WOPA Education 18.3%
- Cost of Sales 6.3%
- Retailers 5.1%
- Stadium & Exhibition Center 1.7%
- General Fund 4.5%
- Administration 2.1%
- Economic Development 0.4%
- And problem gambling
Washington state lottery games include:
- Power Ball
- Mega Millions
- Lotto
- Hit 5
- Match 4
- Daily Game
- Daily Keno
- And scratch off cards
Bingo: Charitable Games Only
Social card games, dice games, bingo, raffles, and more are all legal for
charitable and nonprofit organizations to run in Washington.
Here's what the Washington charitable gaming laws say about charitable and
nonprofit organization gambling activities:
'The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit
organizations to conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games, and fund raising
events, and to utilize punch boards and pull-tabs and to allow their premises
and facilities to be used by only members, their guests, and members of a
chapter or unit organized under the same state, regional, or national charter or
constitution, to play social card games authorized by the commission, when
licensed, conducted or operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and
rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.'
Social card games, punch boards, and pull tab games are also legal at
restaurants. Here's what the Washington charitable gaming laws say about it:
How to make money in roulette machine. 'The legislature hereby authorizes any person, association or organization
operating an established business primarily engaged in the selling of food or
drink for consumption on the premises to conduct social card games and to
utilize punch boards and pull-tabs as a commercial stimulant to such business
when licensed and utilized or operated pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.'
Social gambling: Illegal With Exceptions
Washington gambling laws are based off three elements, which are a prize,
wagering, and chance. In order for it to be gambling, all three elements have to
be present, and if one of them is missing, it's not considered gambling.
Washington residents can play any casino game in their home, as long as it's
missing one of the three elements of gambling.
Here's a list of the tribal casinos located in Washington:
Online Gambling Washington State Law Schools
1) Lucky Eagle Casino
12888 188th Avenue SW,
Rochester, WA 98579
(360) 273-2000
2) Coulee Dam Casino
515 Birch Street,
Coulee Dam, WA 99116
1-800-556-7492
3) Mill Bay Casino
455 E. Wapato Lake Rd,
Manson, WA 98831
1-800-648-2946
4) 12 Tribes Resort
28968 Highway 97,
Omak, WA 98841
1-800-559-4643
5) Ilani Casino Resort
1 Cowlitz Way,
Ridgefield, WA 98642
1-877-464-5264
6) 7 Cedars Casino
270756 Hwy 101,
Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 683-7777
7) Northern Quest Casino
100 N. Hayford Road,
Airway Heights, WA 99001
(509) 242-7000
8) Silver Reef Casino
4876 Haxton Way,
Ferndale, WA 98428
(360) 383-0777
9) Muckleshoot Casino
2402 Auburn Way S.,
Auburn, WA 98002 How to beat the dealer in blackjack book.
(800) 804-4944
10) Muckleshoot Bingo
2117 Auburn Way S,
Auburn, WA 98002
(253) 735-2404
11) Red Wind Casino
12819 Yelm Hwy SE,
Olympia, WA 98513
(360) 412-5000
12) The Point Casino
7989 Salish Lane NE,
Kingston, WA 98346
(360) 297-0070
13) Emerald Queen Casino at I-5
2024 E. 29th St.,
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 594-7777
14) EQC at FIFE
5700 Pacific Highway E,
Fife, WA 98424
(253) 594-7777
15) Quinault Beach Resort & Casino
78 State Route 115,
Ocean Shores, WA 98569
(360) 289-4466
14) Lucky Dog Casino
19330 US-101,
Skokomish, WA 98584
(360) 877-5656
17) Snoqualmie Casino
37500 SE North Bend Way,
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
(425) 888-1234
18) Chewelah Casino
2555 Smith Road,
Chewela, WA 99109
(509) 258-9845
19) Two Rivers Casino
6828-B Highway 25 South,
Davenport, WA 99122
1-800-954-2946
20) Little Creek Casino Resort
91 West State Route 108,
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 427-7711
21) Angel of the Winds Casino
3438 Stoluckaguamish Lane,
Arlington, WA 98223
(360) 474-9740
22) Suquamish Clearwater Resort
15347 Suquamish Way NE,
Suquamish, WA 98392
(360) 598-8700
23) Suquamish Casino
12885 Casino Drive,
Anacortes, WA 98221
(360) 293-2691
24) Tulalip Resort Casino
10200 Quil Ceda Blvd,
Tulalip, WA 98270
(360) 716-6000
25) Skagit Valley Casino
5984 N. Dark Lane,
Bow, WA 98232
(360) 724-7777
26) Yakama Legends Casino
580 E. Fort Road,
Toppenish, WA 98948
(509) 865-8800
History of Gambling in Washington
1933Washington legalized pari-mutuel wagering on horse races.
1973The Gambling Commission oversees charity gambling including bingo, pull tabs, raffles, and casio nights.
1992Washington Signs it's first compact with a native tribe to open casinos.
1997Card rooms that offer non banked games are legalized outside of tribal lands.
2006Internet gambling is made a felony for both players and operators.
2010The poker Players Alliance goes to the Supreme Court to question the Internet gambling ban, but fails with the Supreme Court choosing to back the state.
2013A bill is put forward to regulate intra state poker in Washington but it doesn't make it far before it's rejected.
Additional Resources
Washington Gambling Future
Washington has legalized plenty of gambling, including casinos, social
gambling, charitable gambling, a lottery, and parimutuel horse racing.
But Washington gambling sites seem to be out of the question.
Since Washington has strictly prohibited daily fantasy sports online and made
gambling online a felony for both players and operators, it's unlikely
Washington will ever have a state-regulated gambling site.
The state of Washington became the 21st state to legalize sports betting on March 25th, 2020 when Governor Jay Inslee signed a new sports betting bill into law. Washington was the first state in 2020 to legalize sports betting.
How Sports Betting Became Legal in Washington
In the past, the state of Washington had some of the harshest anti-gambling laws. When the PASPA ruling back in 2018 occurred, many expected Washington to be one of the last wave of states to legalize sports betting. Now just two years after the May 2018 PASPA ruling, the state of Washington has now legalized sports betting.
The bill that legalized sports betting, HB 2638, made its way through legislation rather quickly. The bill's sponsor, Representative Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds) was hoping to push the bill quickly through the shortened legislative session and his wishes came true.
HB 2638 began to move its way through the legislation with relative ease, passing by fairly solid margins. The bill managed to make its way through to the governor just in time before the end of the Coronavirus-impacted legislative session. The bill passed in the house 84-14 and 34-15 in the Senate. Typically the bill would have gone to a voter referendum in November that would have required a 60 percent majority vote but due to an emergency provision in the bill, it was able to bypass that step.
Governor Jay Inslee signed the bill into law on March 25th, 2020.
What Sports Betting Will Look Like in Washington
While sports betting is now legal in Washington state, there are still plenty of restrictions. First off, the bill only calls for sports betting at the state's tribal casinos. Sports betting will only be allowed to take place on tribal casino property, there will be no legal state-wide mobile betting in Washington, at least not at this time.
While the sports world is currently in a hiatus thanks to the current Coronavirus pandemic, this may actually be the best time for Washington to legalize sports betting. The state is still months away from launching any actual legal sportsbooks so this current hiatus doesn't have much of an effect on Washington just yet. The tribes and the state of Washington still have plenty of negotiating in their state compacts before any sportsbooks can be opened. These negotiations could take months before anything is put into place.
Washington State Law Online Gambling
Under the new sports betting law, wagers can be placed on both professional and collegiate sporting events. However, like some other states with legal sports betting, wagers on local collegiate events located in the state of Washington will not be permitted. A number of other states with legal sports betting have also restricted betting on collegiate events and collegiate teams located in their respective state.
The lack of legal mobile sports betting in Washington will have some benefit to neighboring state Oregon. Oregon, which is located on the southern border of Washington, has legal mobile sports betting. For Washington residents located in the southern part of the state, it may be more convenient for them to travel across state lines into Oregon to place bets from their mobile devices as opposed to traveling to tribal casinos within Washington to place bets. Some of those in Washington who are already traveling to Oregon to bet may also be less inclined to make the switch to betting in person in their home state.
Any way you look at it, Washington will certainly be losing a percentage of revenue to Oregon and possibly Idaho in the future if Idaho does, in fact, legalize mobile sports betting before Washington does.
As for the tribal sportsbooks in Washington, they are expected to range anywhere from full-fledged sportsbooks and lounges at some casinos to simple betting kiosks at others.
Assuming everything goes smoothly in Washington, residents could be betting on sports sometime this year. A realistic goal at this time would be by the start of the upcoming NFL season. Assuming there will be no delays from the Coronavirus issue, the NFL season will be starting September 10th. While it is possible, it is unlikely that Washington residents will be legally betting on sports in their home state anytime sooner than that. If anything, it is more likely that legal sports betting won't launch in Washington until early 2021.
Issue With Legal Sports Betting and Washington Tribes
There are currently 29 federally-recognized tribal casinos in the state of Washington. Like we have seen in other states, such as California, the tribes in Washington believed they had the exclusive rights to offer sports betting. Other gambling facilities in the state of Washington did not believe that was the case. Another belief that we have seen in other states with the same issue.
A major part of the reason that Washington tribes are the only ones that are able to offer legal sports betting is due to their heavy lobbying for this particular bill. Had they not have been given the exclusive rights to legal sports betting, they would have used their political clout to shoot down any bill that wouldn't have given them that legal sports betting monopoly. In the past, Washington tribes have been very outspoken against gambling expansions in the state.
Of course, non-tribal gaming establishments in Washington are not happy with this exact sports betting bill passing. Racetracks, mini-casinos and card rooms were all hoping that sports betting would have been open to all legal gambling establishments in the state. They do not believe that tribes deserve to have a monopoly on sports betting in the state. One particular opponent of the bill, who believes the same, has already threatened legal action.
Maverick Gaming, who have recently purchased 19 of Washington's 44 non-tribal card rooms, has been one of the biggest advocates of this bill passing. CEO of the Nevada-based Maverick Gaming, Erik Persson, argued earlier in the year at a public hearing that Washington would lose up to $50 million in tax revenue by not allowing sports betting to go beyond tribal casinos. Persson also believed that the only reason the emergency clause was added to the bill was that lawmakers knew that Washington residents would never approve the bill as it was proposed. He has even contacted Governor Inslee directly asking for him to veto the final version of the bill.
Persson has vowed to spend up to $30 million on litigation, campaigning and anything else to block the bill from becoming law. He also believes that this tax-free monopoly to tribal casinos will endanger the jobs of nearly 2,200 employees at Maverick Gaming. So while Washington did pass a bill to make sports betting legal, there are still some hurdles in the way. Persson and other non-tribal gaming establishments in Washington will continue to try and get sports betting expanded in the state, which could lead to even more issues down the road.
FAQ
Online Gambling Washington State Lawyer
Is sports betting legal in Washington?
When will legal sports betting begin in Washington?
What are the sports betting laws in Washington?
Is mobile sports betting legal in Washington?
Are daily fantasy sports contests legal in Washington?
Is FanDuel Sportsbook coming to Washington?
Is DraftKings Sportsbook coming to Washington?
How many legal sportsbooks are there in Washington?
Do I have to be from Washington to bet in Washington?
Will I have to pay taxes on my sports betting winnings?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Washington?Yes. Governor Inslee signed HB 2638 into law back on March 25th, 2020. Under the bill, sports betting is legal at tribal casinos located in the state of Washington. Once sportsbooks begin to open at these tribal casinos you will be free to bet legally in Washington.
When will legal sports betting begin in Washington?There is currently no timeline as to when legal sports betting will officially launch in Washington. The state and the tribes still have to negotiate their current compacts. A best-case scenario would be that sportsbooks launch in Washington before the start of the 2020 NFL season on September 10th.
What are the sports betting laws in Washington?Online Gambling Washington State Law School
Bettors in Washington can make wagers on professional and collegiate sporting events. However, like a number of other states in the country, Washington residents will not be able to bet on local collegiate teams. The minimum gambling age is 18 or 21 if the establishment sells alcohol.
Is mobile sports betting legal in Washington?No. The current sports betting law does not allow for mobile sports betting in Washington. Sports betting is only permitted on tribal lands that have a licensed sportsbook. It is possible that state-wide mobile sports betting could become legal in Washington in the future.
Are daily fantasy sports contests legal in Washington?No. Washington is one of the most strict states in the country when it comes to daily fantasy sports. Arrests have been made in the past in Washington over daily fantasy sports. The state of Washington classifies DFS as a game of 'chance', therefore making it illegal.
Is FanDuel Sportsbook coming to Washington?It's unknown is FanDuel Sportsbook will attempt to enter the Washington market. There is no legal online sports betting or daily fantasy sports in the state. Therefore, if FanDuel were to enter Washington it would have to be as a partner of a tribal casino to operate their retail sportsbook.
Is DraftKings Sportsbook coming to Washington?Just like FanDuel, it's currently unknown if DraftKings Sportsbook will attempt to enter the Washington market. With the lack of DFS and online sports betting, if DraftKings were to enter Washington it would have to be as a partner of a tribal casino to operate their retail sportsbook.
How many legal sportsbooks are there in Washington?There are currently no legal sportsbooks available in Washington. While sports betting is legal, no sportsbooks have been established yet. Sportsbooks won't open in the state until after compacts between the state and tribes are negotiated. Once that happens, Washington could see as many as 29 sportsbooks throughout the state.
Do I have to be from Washington to bet in Washington?No. You don't have to be a resident of Washington in order to place a legal bet at a Washington sportsbook. As long as you are of legal age and are not breaking any other restrictions, you can place a legal sports bet in Washington regardless of where you live.
Will I have to pay taxes on my sports betting winnings?Yes. As with any other state, Washington residents will be required to pay taxes on their winnings. Sports betting falls under gambling when it comes to taxes and you must pay taxes on gambling winnings to a certain extent. You can find more info at IRS.gov.
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