Washington State Gambling Laws
Washington is a state with a rich history and is famous for many attractive things that have happened throughout the years. But if we will be talking about gambling, Washington is among the US states where residents can participate in gambling activities. However, everything is strictly regulated, and there are serious laws that define which gaming activities are legal and which are not. In this article about the Washington State gambling laws, we will tell you a bit more about the main legal aspects concerning gambling on the territory of the state.
Gambling in the State of Washington – Legal Activities
The legal gambling situation in the state of Washington is exactly the same as the one in many other states. In WA, specific gambling products are legalized, while others are not. And, of course, there are different kinds of gaming activities that are either allowed or not. Nonetheless, the state has its own gambling laws and legal aspects. They differentiate Washington from the other US states. Having said this, you should know that the laws strictly define what gambling is, what is considered legal gambling and which gambling activities are specified as an outlaw.
| Gambling Product | Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Land-Based Casinos | Legal |
| Land-Based Sports Betting | Legal |
| Land-Based Poker | Legal only in licensed cardrooms |
| Lottery | Legal |
| Land-based Bingo | Legal |
| Online Gambling | Illegal in all forms |
As you can see from the table above, players in the state of Washington can benefit from different types of gambling activities. Keep in mind that the legal gambling situation in the state changes from time to time and you should always be aware of what you are allowed to do and what you are not if you decide to gamble.
One thing is for sure – you can legally gamble in WA state as long as you choose the legal gambling products in the licensed gambling establishments. For instance, those are the licensed casinos throughout the territory of the state. Tribal gambling in WA state is also very popular and provides WA players with additional opportunities. However, specific types of gambling in Washington state are still illegal. The laws are very strict, and the respective institutions strictly punish those who are trying to skip them.
Types of Gambling Activities in WA State
Washington state has one of the most strict laws when it comes to gambling. Currently, some forms of gambling activities are not allowed on the territory of the state, or there are exceptions for specifically authorized locations. The Washington State Gambling Commission clearly outlines which forms of gambling are illegal on the state’s territory.
Of course, the law allows some exceptions. For instance, betting on greyhounds is illegal in WA, while betting on horse racing is not forbidden. On the other hand, sports wagers are accepted only in authorized locations. Table games are illegal to be played outside of the licensed cardrooms throughout the state. Here are some of the most popular gambling products and their status in the state of Washington.
Sports Betting in Washington
According to the Washington gambling laws, betting on sports in the state is illegal, at least partially. However, the Washington state laws of gambling define exactly what types of sports betting activities are legal and which are not. As of 2020, Washington state gambling laws authorized sports betting. However, the bill that was passed authorized only tribal casinos to offer sports wagers to customers. Moreover, tribal casinos must gain a proper license to do that. Greyhound wagers are also considered illegal according to the Washington state laws for gambling.
However, the Washington State Gambling Commission clearly defines that sports betting is only legal in the 100-square sports pool boards too. These activities are conducted under restricted conditions. On the other hand, betting on horse racing remains the only legal type of sports betting in the Washington state outside tribal casinos. Keep in mind that wagers on horseracing events must be made only in the specified licensed locations; otherwise, the gambling laws in Washington state will consider it as a violation of the law.
Washington State Gambling Devices
Slots are among the most beloved casino games, and this is the reason why the majority of players are always eager to try them out. Across the territory of the state, there are quite many tribal casinos that offer lots of slot machines. However, players can also visit the legal gambling establishments that also have a large number of slots. The Washington gambling laws do not allow any gambling devices outside of the licensed and strictly regulated land-based establishments. Unlike PA gambling regulations, there are no Washington state online gambling laws to legalize online slot machines yet.
Card and Dice Games in Washington State
All land-based casinos on the territory of the state (both tribal and non-tribal) offer various types of table games. They are also very popular among the majority of WA residents. Games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat or poker can be played in any of the licensed land-based gambling establishments. The Washington state gambling laws allow table games to be offered only in the regulated locations.
Washington State Lottery
The lottery is among the gambling games with a long history in Washington state. The Washington lottery was established in 1982. Keep in mind that the Washington lottery also offers a good variety of lotto games to players in the state. For instance, among the most popular ones in Washington state, are Mega Millions, Powerball, as well as Lotto and Hit 5. However, some other states have legalized more lottery games. And as you might guess, you can buy tickets and play any of the WA lottery games only in licenced locations approved by the Washington state laws for gambling.
Bingo Games in Washington State
Bingo is among the other gambling games that WA players can also enjoy legally. Bingo and raffle games in Washington can be offered by the eligible charities that have the proper licensing. Charitable gambling is among the legal types of gambling that is allowed by the gambling laws in Washington state. In fact, there are also different small bingo parlours throughout the territory of the state, where WA players can try out their luck and enjoy their favourite bingo games.
WA Gambling Laws – Chrges and Penalties
As we already mentioned, Washington state gambling laws are among the most strict ones in the US. Keep in mind that the penalties for violating the gambling laws might be quite severe, depending on their grade. As you might expect, the Washington state laws for gambling are considered violated when you participate in gambling activities that are specified as illegal. In general, this includes gambling outside of licensed and authorized gaming establishments. Below, you will see the main penalty categories for violating the Washington state gambling laws.
- Misdemeanour – $1000 fine and/or up-to 90 days jail sentence.
- Gross Misdemeanour – $5000 fine and/or up-to 12 months in jail.
- Class C Felony – $10,000 fine and/or up-to 5 years imprisonment.
- Class B Felony – $20,000 fine and/or up-to 10 year in jail.
As you can see, these felonies can cost dearly to violators. Not only will they face big fines, but jail time is also on the cards. This comes to show you that WA gambling laws need to be followed strictly and you shouldn’t be careless with abiding by them. Our advice is to always have in mind local regulation and gamble responsibly. Speaking of the latter, let’s see what the legal gambling age in Washington is!
Legal Gambling Age in Washington
If you want to gamble in Washington state, presumably, you must have a minimum gambling age. This is something standard in all states in the US. However, the minimum gambling age varies for different states. As you may guess, it fluctuates between 18 and 21. Moreover, in some states, the minimum gambling age may be different for different gambling products.
| Gambling Product | Legal Gambling Age |
|---|---|
| Land-Based Casinos | 18+ |
| Land-Based Sports Betting | 18+ |
| Land-Based Poker | 18+ |
| Washington Lottery | 18+ |
| Land-based Bingo | 18+ |
| Online Gambling | Illegal |
Washington state is among the states where the minimum gambling age is 18 and over. Keep in mind that in many other states, players must be at least 21 to gamble. This gives a certain advantage to WA players who can enjoy their favourite gambling activities as long as they have 18 years of age.
Regulation of Gambling in Washington
Like any other state in the US, Washington has its own institution responsible for controlling the gambling activities throughout its territory. The Washington State Gambling Commission is the regulatory body that issues licences to land-based establishments. Besides, it has the task to strictly imply the state laws and to watch for any kinds of illegal gambling activities. The WSGC works as a law enforcement agency, and the institution includes five commissioners who are appointed by the governor to serve for six years.
Washington State Gambling History
The history of gambling in Washington state dates back to the 1880s. Then, gambling was initially proclaimed illegal. However, throughout the years, the Washington state gambling laws began to change until they shaped the current legal situation.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1889 | Gambling in WA was proclaimed illegal |
| 1909 | Ban over horse racing |
| 1933 | Legalization of pari-mutuel gambling |
| 1937 | Slot machined legalized only for charity organizations |
| 1971 | Bingo games are approved as legal |
| 1973 | Washington Gambling Commission was founded |
| 1976 | The first WA tribal casino opened |
| 1982 | The WA state lottery was approved |
| 1982 | Indian Gambling Regulatory Act was passed in WA |
| 2006 | All forms of online poker banned in Washington |
| 2008 | Changes to poker limits at cardrooms applied |
| 2015 | Bill for the legalization of online poker not passed |
What is certain, though, is that the state endured some serious changes in terms of gambling legalization and establishing legal frames for this segment of the entertaining business. Taking into an account the latest changes in terms of gambling in other states, eventual changes in Washington laws for gambling might also be expected soon. Here is a chronology of the main events around the history of the Washington gambling laws.
Online Gambling in Washington State
As you may already know, many US states started passing bills to legalize online gambling. In recent years, players from some other states can legally access licensed online gambling platforms and enjoy various types of online gambling activities. This is expected as online gambling has already established itself as the future of gambling. There are some great online casino sites in the US which have already started to prove that. As you know, in other countries around the globe, especially in Europe, the segment of online betting and casino gambling is well-developed and generates tremendous income.
However, online gambling in Washington state remains one of the illegal forms of gambling. All types of online betting and casino gaming online are banned on the territory of the state. The Senate Bill SSB 6613 from 2006 is the main piece of legislation in WA that prohibits online gambling.
In this respect, according to the Washington state online gambling laws, Daily Fantasy sports are also considered illegal as they fall under the scope of the law that prohibits online gambling in the state. You can check the articles about the US gambling laws by state and compare them to the legal gambling situation in Washington.
Final Thought about Gambling in the State of Washington
Compared to other US states, Washington remains one of the jurisdictions where gambling laws are extremely strict. However, this does not mean that WA players are deprived of good opportunities and chances to enjoy their favourite gambling activities. A good number of gaming types are allowed on the territory of the state.
Although you have to gamble only in authorized locations, still you can find different gambling opportunities in the state. On the other hand, it seems that any kind of change in the situation around online gambling is not expected to come soon. Still, the official Washington state gambling laws ban all forms of online gambling activities.
FAQ about Gambling in Washington State?
We hope that his guide was informative enough, but if you still need to know more details regarding the Washington state gambling laws, then don’t hesitate to take a look at the section below. We have selected the most frequently asked questions about the gambling laws in Washington state. Check the answers and find out more information.
