Gambling Laws in Washington

Washington State generally has strict views and restrictions on gambling. Currently, there are only a few ways that you can legally place bets in WA. The State legislature 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”.

This broad definition covers a lot of different forms of gaming, so it easy to restrict various forms of gaming. However, it expressly does not include fishing derbies, pari-mutuel betting or handicapping contests. It also does not apply to lotteries, and the state has enjoyed an official lottery since the early 1980s.

Gambling online is strictly prohibited in the state of Washington, which is the only state to categorize such offences as felonies. With this in mind, it is really best to make sure that you fully understand all of the Washington gambling laws before you plan a gambling session, whether online or at a land-based establishment. Read through the next few sections to get a clearer picture of the legal situation for each type of gaming.

Washington Sports Betting

Currently, almost all sports betting is illegal in the state of Washington. This could change in the future, as a bill was introduced in early 2019 that may open up sports gambling for Washingtonians. However, at the moment, the only permitted bets on sporting events are pari-mutuel horseracing wagers and fishing derbies. We have an entire page about Washington sports betting which you can check. There you will find regular updates about the legal situation as well.

Washington Daily Fantasy Sports

In 2011, the Gambling Commission pressed charges against a NASCAR daily fantasy site, arguing that this constituted sports betting, and so was illegal in the state. In 2016, the State Senate debated about the merits of allowing paid fantasy sports as a skilled-based, regulated form of gaming. However, no bills have passed into law, and as such, Washington daily fantasy betting is still illegal. On the other side, there are states that are much more liberal and you can enjoy even Alaska daily fantasy sports.

Washington Online Casinos

Despite the fact that there have been tribal casinos in Washington since the 1990s, the state remains firm on its opposition to online gambling. 2006 saw a bill passed that strictly and explicitly banned all forms of internet gambling. There appears to be no hint that things will change on this front; betting at online casinos, whether based in Washington or out of state, is a felony offense. For even more detailed information, check our guide for casinos in Washington.

Washington Online Poker

The situation for poker is almost identical to that of casinos in Washington. Land-based card games have been permitted at licensed casinos for some time, and casual games where there is no bank provided by the house are also allowed. However, all online poker in Washington is illegal. As with casino gambling, there seems to be no political will to legalize internet games.

Washington Lottery

The Washington State Lottery was introduced in 1982 after House Bill No. 1251 was passed into legislation. The intent was to provide the State with extra income, which could then be used to better fund education, health initiatives and social programs. It has been a popular part of Washington life ever since, and tickets can easily be found at hundreds of locations throughout the state, though you can’t purchase tickets or scratch cards online. For more information on the games and where to buy tickets read through our page dedicated to Washington lottery.

History of Gambling in Washington

The history of gambling in Washington is mostly a story of gambling being slowly opened up, with a couple of constant exceptions. From the early 20th century, when all forms of gambling were illegal, to today when most forms are at least legal in certain circumstances, with the exception of online gambling. See below for the biggest moments in Washington’s gambling history.

Washington State Facts

The Evergreen State may be tucked up in the corner of the country, but it is by no means a backwater of America. It is one of the wealthiest and most progressive states in the union. It is home to Microsoft and to the Boeing final assembly plant in Everett, which is the world’s largest building. It is also the only state to be named after a president of the United States. You can find out some more facts about the state below, as well as head over to some useful websites.

Gambling Age in Washington

You must be at least 18 years old in order to gamble in Washington. Some casinos actually require to be at least 21 before you can enter the premises, but this is because they serve alcohol on the playing floor. 21 is the legal age for drinking alcohol in WA, as with the rest of the country. Washington was one of the first states to legalize recreational and medical marijuana use, with the minimum age for recreational cannabis also set at 21.

• Online Gambling Age:
  You can gamble in Washington from the age of 18 and over.
• Alcohol Age
  You must be 21+ years old to drink alcohol in Washington.
• Weed Age
  You must be 21+ years old to purchase recreational marijuana.

Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention

Although online gambling is not allowed, Washington State is still unfortunately home to many problem gamblers. If you feel that your betting habits are causing you problems, or are having a negative impact on your life there are various organizations to whom you can turn for help. Head over to the National Council on Problem Gambling’s page for Washington to get some advice, or you can seek help from the Washington State Health Care Authority.

Upcoming Regulation and Expected Changes

As I mentioned earlier on this page, the biggest potential change on the horizon of the Washington State gambling landscape is a bill that was introduced in February 2019. It proposes that existing tribal casinos located within the borders of the state will be allowed to facilitate sports betting from patrons located on their premises. There is not yet a consensus on the likelihood of this bill passing into law, so it is best to keep checking back here for changes. We will make sure that this page is kept up to date. In the meantime, check out our guide to legal online gambling in the US.

• Oregon
• Idaho
• Hawaii
• Alaska