There's good news and bad news if you're looking to gamble in Washington state. Land-based gambling is given a degree of freedom—but by no means is it a free-for-all. Despite a gray zone of legality, online gambling is not licensed and therefore unavailable legally to Washington players.
Existing law means that licensed casinos are legal and playable by anyone of legal age, but only on approved Native American reservations. While Las Vegas may be in a league of its own, don't be surprised to find some very classy casinos in Washington, too, courtesy of the Native Indian communities. Indeed, Tulalip Casino in Marysville is a fantastic venue, complete with Orca whales jumping from the resort's lake. The games on offer in the state's best casinos include poker, bingo, baccarat, slots and progressive jackpots.
Horse race betting and some charitable gambling games are also permitted in the state. Another interesting option is the legal concept of "workplace gambling," which was made legal in 1973. The law allows a workplace to create one sports pool board for a specific event, with 100 squares, and charge up to $1 each. It's not real or high stakes sports betting, but it's the best legal option aside from horse wagering.
Overall, the state of Washington has witnessed a long history of gambling battles over its legal status; some are still raging to this day.
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Not Legal
It's important to know that Washington, unlike some states, has written laws about playing online. Here it's illegal to play "any unregulated gambling" game. Indeed, in 2006, the state of Washington made a law that criminalized online gambling, and the ruling was reinforced in 2011. There are no legal channels to play online casino for real money and little interest from lawmakers to change these laws in the foreseeable future.
Not Legal
Online poker players are in much the same boat. Unlike some other states, there's been little push for a regulated online poker market in the Evergreen State.
Not Legal
Washington presents many entertainment options. Sports betting is not among them. Legislators in Olympia have not pursued a sports betting bill, even though the federal ban was struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year. Up to two dozen states are expected to consider sports betting bills in 2019 and this increase in interest nationwide may eventually spark action by the legislature. In the meantime, Washington sports betting remains on the backburner.
Not Legal
Washington is one of a handful of states where leading daily fantasy sites like DraftKings and Fanduel don't operate. The state previously pursued criminal charges against residents offering similar fantasy sports games and out-of-state providers have avoided the market for similar fears of legal charges. Lawmakers have held hearings about a daily fantasy legalization bill and, as much of the rest of the nation embraces these games, there could be changes. In the meantime, there are no legal avenues to play games like these.
Pressure to legalize sports betting, online casino gaming and fantasy sports grows, but authorities continue to resist.
A bid by the Poker Players Alliance to legalize online gambling fails in Supreme Court. •2013 – Interstate poker bill fails to pass inspection.
Internet gambling laws make it technically illegal to gamble online.
Card rooms away from tribal lands are legalized, offering non-banked peer to peer games including poker.
Indian tribal casinos start construction and operation.
Federal Indian Gambling Regulation Act lays the foundation for tribal casinos.
State lottery is launched.
Charity gambling is allowed via the Gambling Commission (bingo, pull-tabs, raffles and casino evenings).
Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing is legalized.
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