Washington was established as an anti-gambling state that has since loosened up a bit. But don’t be mistaken, just because the Evergreen State is home to 27 tribal casinos and a handful of card rooms – Washington is not the place to get caught operating outside of the gambling laws where stiff penalties are carried and justice swiftly served.
Washington Legal Gambling History
Washington established itself as an anti-gambling state, being put off by the vice consumption of the earlier settlers. But Washington is like other states where pari-mutuel horse race wagering was legalized in the early 30s, which happened in Washington in 1933.
In 1973, Washington formed its Gambling Commission and made way for charity gaming to enter in. This included bingo, pull-tabs, raffles, and casino nights for fundraising purposes.
Washington made the state lottery legal in 1982
After the Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act was formed in 1988, the first compact for tribal casino gaming was signed in 1992 opening the door for tribal casino gambling in the state.
By 1997 card rooms were legalized outside of tribal lands. This law allows for social poker and card rooms as long as the game is not being played against the house.
While gambling is widely available in Washington, the state doesn’t take lightly to those who break its laws. In 2006 Washington went the extra mile to make internet gambling into a felony. This means no off-shore wagering for residents. While there have been multiple attempts to override this and bring online poker in, none have been successful.
Washington Gambling Legal Status
It is legal in Washington to gamble at tribal casinos which include “tribal lottery machines” that act like slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and more.
Social poker and card rooms are both legal in Washington as long as if the host isn’t profiting and the game isn’t being played against the house. There are legal card rooms found all over the state.
In Washington, you can play the state lottery which includes scratch-offs, Powerball, and Mega Millions. Track betting is legal in Washington as well. This includes pari-mutuel, simulcast, and off-track betting.
Charitable gaming in Washington is legal including bingo, raffles, and casino nights.
Online gambling in any form is illegal in Washington and strictly enforced as a felony.
The legal age to gamble in the state of Washington is 18 and older for all forms.
Washington Land-Based Casinos
Washington is home to 27 tribal casinos where slots (or “tribal lottery machines”), blackjack, craps, baccarat, pai-gow, roulette, poker, sic-bo, Big 6, keno, and off-track betting are legal.
The Washington tribal casinos are:
• 7 Cedars Casino
• 12 Tribes Resort Casino
• Coulee Dam Casino
• Emerald Queen Casino Fife
• Emerald Queen Casino at I-5
• iLani Casino Resort
• Legends Casino
• Little Creek Casino Resort
• Lucky Dog Casino
• Lucky Eagle Casino
• Mill Bay Casino
• Muckleshoot Casino
• Northern Quest Casino
• Quil Ceda Creek Nightclub & Casino
• Quinault Beach Resort & Casino
• Red Wind Casino
• Silver Reef Casino
• Skagit Valley Casino
• Snoqualmie Casino
• Spokane Tribe Casino
• Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort
• Swinomish Casino and Lodge
• The Point Casino
• Tulalip Resort Casino
Washington Legal Daily Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting
As we speak, both fantasy sports and sports betting are illegal in the state of Washington. We just don’t know if that will ever change. So far, any attempts at getting online gambling going have been struck down quickly. Washington is anti-online gambling and if you’re caught participating in it it is considered a felony.
Washington Legal Daily Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting
The only legal sports betting in the state of Washington are track bets. Washington allows for pari-mutuels and simulcasts wagering on out of state races.
Daily fantasy sports is illegal in Washington and is considered to be online gambling, which is a felony.
Washington Legal Gambling FAQ’s
What forms of gambling are allowed in the state of Washington?
• Casino gambling including slots, craps, blackjack, poker, and other table games.
• Social poker and poker rooms.
• Track betting including off-track, simulcast, and pari-mutuel betting.
• State lottery which includes scratch-offs, Powerball, and Mega Millions.
• Charitable gaming such as bingo, raffles, and casino nights.
Will Online gambling or Sports Betting make it’s way to Washington any time soon?
It’s unclear if they will, things must drastically change in Washington for it to happen. For now, they are both illegal and carry harsh punishments. Online gambling is a felony in the state of Washington.
