Washington Gambling Sites – A Guide to Gambling In Washington

Washington gambling laws allow casinos, horse racing, a state lottery, and
most other forms of gaming.

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

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Online Gambling and Washington Law

Also On This Page

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:

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:

“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:

History of Gambling in Washington

Additional Resources

• Washington State Gambling Commission
• Washington State Lottery
• Washington Charitable Gambling
• Washington Lottery Beneficiaries
• Washington State Game Rules
• Washington Gambling Laws

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.