At the time of writing this sports betting is deemed illegal in the state of Washington. The only currently legal forms of Washington sports betting are pari-mutuel betting on horse races and interestingly so-called workplace gambling. Workplace gambling refers to betting on sports on a 100 square sports pool board charging up to $1 each where one can only bet on a single athletic event. Daily Fantasy leagues and subsequent betting are currently not legal in the state.

Gambling Laws in Washington

Washington has been rather open about land-based gambling but is not very liberal on gambling in itself. Many of the activities relating to gambling are illegal, exceptions are Casinos on native land, the state lottery, charitable gambling and pari-mutuel betting .

Casinos are allowed to offer slots, bingo, poker baccarat and progressive jackpots. Any form of online gambling is strictly forbidden in the state. Legal forms of gambling are overseen and regulated by the Washington gambling commission and pari-mutuel betting is overseen by the horse racing commission.

Most Popular Sports in Washington

Washington state is home to professional Major League teams in the 3 most beloved sports in the US, Football, Basketball and Baseball. The state also has some stellar collegiate athletic clubs which compete nationwide. In terms of favorite past times, residents can enjoy winter sports in the state and national parks with all the activities they offer.

National Football League – Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks were established in 1974, are a member of the NFL and compete in the NFC West Division. They are the only NFL franchise based in the Pacific Northwest Region and thus attract support from a wide geographic area. In fact, their fans have set a record for the loudest crowd noise. They have won 10 Division Championships, 3 Conference Championship and 1 Super Bowl.

Women’s National Basketball Association – Seattle Storm

The Seattle Storm were founded in 2000 and compete in the Western Conference of WNBA. The team has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs 12 out of its 17 seasons played and play home games out of Seattle Center. They won 3 Championship and 3 Conference titles and are known for their family friendly game atmosphere at home games.

Major League Baseball – Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are an MLB member of the American League West Division with their home Ballpark being T-Mobile Park. The did not have a single win until 1991 and only started becoming successful in 1995 winning their first division championship. Since they have won more Division titles but never made it to the World Series.

Major League Soccer – Seattle Sounders FC

The sounders were founded in 2007 and compete in the Western Division of the MLS. They play home games out of Century Link field with a reduced capacity of approx. 38,000. The team is one of the most successful in the League, having won the US Open Cup 4 times and the MLS Cup in 2016.

Local History of Sports Betting

Since 1933 Pari-mutuel betting is legal in the state of Washington, but little to move legislation further has been done. In fact, legislation passed in 2006 officially outlawing online gambling and sports betting in Washington. With the federal ban being revoked it is expected that authorities will give in to growing pressures on legalization of sports betting, which started in the mid 2000’s.

Legal Online Sports Betting Age in Washington

As previously mentioned, sports betting is currently illegal in the state of Washington and no official minimum age has been set. Marijuana was legalized for recreational and medical purposes with a minimum age of 21 and 18 respectively. It is anticipated that the minimum age to place sports bets will be in accordance with the legal drinking age, currently set at 21.

• Sports Betting Age
  Currently sports betting is illegal, meaning there’s no legal sports betting age in Washington
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age in Washington is set at 21
• Weed Age
  The legal minimum age to acquire recreational marijuana is set at21

Is Online Sports Betting Legal Outside of the State?

Before 2018, commercial sports betting was outlawed in the majority of US states. On the heels of a mass-legalization of betting, a number of states have passed bills to do the same exact thing. For instance, sports betting in Nevada first commenced in 1975 and has since expanded considerably.

Another good example is sports betting in West Virginia, which was legalized in 2018. The Utah sports betting, in contrast, observes a different situation. It is currently considered one of the few remaining states that haven’t yet changed their gambling laws to move toward legalization due to its conservative view on the matter.

Taxes on Your Winnings: Do You Have to Pay Anything?

As established already, sports betting is presently illegal in Washington andno taxation has been set. The Washington State lottery –currently defined as gambling – currently withholds only federal tax on winnings and no extra state income tax. In Nevada, where sports betting has been legal since 1975, a 25% federal tax on gambling winnings is in place. New Mexico, where sports betting has been legal since 2018 imposes 6% state taxes on winnings Tax & revenue Department New Mexico. It is to be anticipated if sports betting were to be authorized in Washington, taxes imposed on winnings would be within the range of 0%-6%.

Upcoming Regulation Changes in Washington Betting Law

Since 2006 pressure to legalize sports betting as well as online gambling has been growing in the state. When the federal ban on sports betting was overturned in 2018 Washington did not act and propose legislation immediately. In February 2019 HB1975 was introduced to authorize sports betting on a limited basis to tribal casinos. Soon after HB1992 was introduced to permit horse betting only on on-site licensed horse racing tracks. Neither Bill was calling for the legalization of online or mobile sports betting. If sports betting is further legalized, it seems this will not legalize online or mobile betting in the near future.

Sports Betting Guides for Nearby States

• Oregon
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada