Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State
- Is Online Gambling Legal In Washington State
- Is Online Gambling Legal
- Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2017
- Is Online Gambling Illegal In Us
- Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2019
- Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State University
- Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Now
Important WA Notes
- WA residents are accepted at offshore sites legally (Federal)
- It’s a felony to gamble online in Washington State
- However, the law has never been enforced
- Land-based gambling is legal throughout the state
- Live poker in Washington is extremely popular
“Reviewed by Chuck Humphrey – 50 year Gaming Law Practitioner”
The state of Washington has some of the toughest laws in the United States pertaining to online gambling and poker websites, but that could easily change in the near future. State laws explicitly prohibit the act of making a bet over the internet, with stiff penalties, for anyone caught contravening the laws. Players can be charged for anything from gross misdemeanors to even Class C Felonies for playing online poker in Washington (neither of which have ever happened or been pursued). There are plans being worked on to establish a regulatory authority to introduce online poker to Washington in the near future. Poker players in Washington play online at licensed offshore websites legally as a player at the Federal level.
Future of Online Poker in Washington: Estimated date of legalization: 2020-2021
The following graph tracks our expected legislation of online poker in Washington on a state law level. It is currently already legal on a Federal level. This graph monitors the current rise or fall of expected legalization.
Gambling in Washington is illegal unless the activity is specifically authorized by state law. Gambling involves three elements: prize, chance and consideration (wager or anything of value). Jun 20, 2020 Gambling Laws and Poker in Washington. Washington is a pretty strict state when it comes to gambling. While there are several card rooms and tribal casinos scattered throughout the state, the local government has always been reluctant to allow gaming. Gambling Contests of Chance (less than $50,000 a year) – rate 1.5 percent; Gambling Contests of Chance ($50,000 a year or greater) – rate 1.63 percent; The lower rate classification shares the line with the Service and Other Activities classification on the excise tax return. The higher rate classification has its own line on the return. Within a week, New Jersey became the third state to legalize online gambling, authorizing the issue of both online poker and online casino licenses to casinos in Atlantic City. In April 2013, the first legal online gambling site in the United States went live in Nevada.
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Recent Activity
The future of online poker in Washington looks fairly promising and the state could feel the need to introduce regulation in order to compete with other states over the next several years.
Washington is one of the only states to explicitly prohibit all types of online gambling, poker included, having passed an amendment to its criminal code[A] in 2006 to include any type of placing or receiving bets over the internet. As such, the amendment to Section 9.46.240 expressly states under ‘Gambling information, transmitting or receiving’: Whoever knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the internet, a telecommunications transmission system, or similar means, or knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information shall be guilty of a class C felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021.
Over the years, efforts have been made to question the constitutionality of the law, with the most famous case even reaching the Washington Supreme Court when lawyer and poker player Lee Russo, backed by the one-million-member grassroots group, the Poker Players Alliance, brought their case to the upper courts. In 2010, the Supreme Court upheld state law that makes it a Class C Felony to play poker and gamble online, although the court did not essentially endorse the law, but rather endorsed the right of the legislature to pass the law. At the time of the ruling, the then Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance, former US Senator Alfonse d’Amato said: “That underscores what we’ve heard time and time again – that this law is ridiculous.”
Ridiculous or not, the Supreme Court decision led top names in the industry accepting USA players at the time, such as Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker, to block players from Washington[B] from playing at their sites.
Over the years, several attempts have been made to introduce new laws that would at least ease the fate of online poker websites in Washington; all of them have been unsuccessful.
- House Bill 1824[C] was read in February 2013, calling for the reduction of penalties for those who play poker, “for recreational purposes only” and no longer making it a Classy C felony to play online (bringing it down to a class 3 civil infraction with a maximum $50 penalty). However, after a 50 minute hearing, the bill failed to advance. At the time, the PPA vowed to push the bill again.
- A pair of pro-online poker voter initiatives were given final language approval initiatives from the state and were put out as petitions to try and gather support.
I-582[D] called for the Washington authorities to license and regulate intrastate internet poker, requiring operators to have a physical presence in the state.
I-583[E] called for the removal of penalties of players participating in online poker games, stating that if the I-582 was passed the measure would be moot.
In January 2015, HB 1114 was introduced, a bill to legalize poker online in Washington, by state Representative Sherry Appleton. The following month the state announced the bill would not be getting a hearing this session due to a lack of support. The same bill was introduced again on January 15, 2016 by state Representatives Sherry Appleton and Vincent Buys. Unfortunately, the bill did not advance once again. However, the future does look bright for passing poker over the internet as well as potentially casino games.
History of Gambling in Washington
Is Online Gambling Legal In Washington State
Land Based Poker in Washington
Laws governing poker in the state of Washington are covered by Section 9.46.0237[H] which 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.”
Poker falls under the definition of “contest of chance” (Section 9.46.0225[I]) which, “means any contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein.”
Having said that, real money poker opportunities are available in Washington in a number of casinos and card clubs as long as players stick to the conditions set out under WAC 230-15-135[J] which spells out very specific wagering limits for non house banked card games. For example, there are not allowed to be more than five betting rounds in one game and there may not be more than four wagers in any betting round.
In addition, the maximum amount of a single wager is not allowed to exceed $40, although Class F and house banked card game licensees are allowed to offer a single wager that should not exceed $100 on Texas Hold ’em games.
When it comes to the ante, no more than the maximum wager is allowed for the first betting round of any game (except Panguingue). In Pan, the maximum value of a chip is not allowed to exceed $10 and doubling of conditions is not allowed.
Washington law is rather vague about poker games played at home, although it is generally felt that they are legal as long as they adhere to conditions spelled out by general gambling laws.
Gambling Laws in Washington
As noted, the relevant laws that govern gambling in Washington are state code 9.46.010 et seq; 67.16.010[K] where the definitions of gambling and games of chance are clearly spelled out. Washington considers any game a game of chance if the concept of chance plays a role in the outcome of the game, even if substantial skill is also involved (read: poker).
Besides defining what gambling means, the official state codes also spell out what types of gambling are allowed or banned. Licensed horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering is allowed, while betting greyhound races is specifically prohibited. Tribal gaming is allowed as long as the casinos adhere to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and maintain the correct gambling devices.
Specifically banned by law are bucket shops, bunco steering, bookmaking and professional gambling. On the other hand, bingo, raffles and amusement games that are sponsored by charitable organizations are allowed, as are sports pools, fishing derbies, golfing and bowling sweepstakes, social card games, turkey shoots and promotional contests.
Laws state that a gambler needs to be 18 years of age or older in order to take part in legal gambling.
Casinos in the state of Washington are run by Native American tribes, and there are several dozen in operation. These include the 7 Cedars Casino run by the Jamestown S’Klallam, the Clearwater Casino Resort run by the Suqamish and Emerald’s Down racetrack run by the Puyallup. The state essentially has 32 Indian casinos owned by 23 tribes, with each tribe federally recognized to sign a compact with the state. This means that the tribe shares gambling revenues with the state’s government and abides to the restrictions on the types and numbers of casino games allowed to be offered.
Indian Gaming Class III authorized games (ie. games played against the house) are defined as blackjack, baccarat, Big 6, Chuck a Luck, craps, keno, off track betting, Pai gow poker, poker (class III), red dog, roulette, sic bo and tribal lotteries.
Indian Gaming Class II authorized games (games played against other players) are defined as bingo, flashcash bingo machines, Mega Mania bingo machines, pull tabs, progressive pull tabs, poker (class II), rocket bingo machines, tab force pull tab readers and wildfire pull tab machines.
Washington state gambling laws dictate that players have to be 18 years of age or older to play in casinos.
Wagering on horse racing is overseen by the Washington Horse Racing Commission[L]. Advance deposit wagering is allowed (under state RCW 67.16.260[M]). The five racing tracks in Washington State are Dayton, Emerald Downs in Auburn, Sun Downs in Kennewick, Waitsburg and Walla Walla Fair Grounds. There are also over 10 licensed off track betting locations.
With the passing of the 1973 Gambling Act, 100 square sports pool boards were authorized by authorities, and this remains the only type of sports betting allowed today by the state. Fantasy sports, office sports pools and bracket pools are not allowed. Needless to say that online sports betting is not legal in Washington, with online gambling residents having no legal way to claim their winnings. Bookmaking is also not legal in Washington as it is defined as professional gambling (which is also outlawed). Statutes range from first degree (class B felony) to third degree (gross misdemeanor).
Washington’s Lottery[N] was created in 1982 to provide revenues for the State General Fund which supports human services programs, schools and government programs. The state agency employs around 150 people and is overseen by a five person Lottery Commission. Tickets can only be purchased at locations throughout the state such as grocery stores, gas stations and bars, and, for now, the purchase of lottery tickets over the internet is not permitted.
Washington State seems to be lenient in its outlook when it comes to charity games. A number of games such as charity poker games and Vegas nights require a license from the relevant authorities, although many such as raffles do not require licenses. The Washington State Gambling Commission provides more details about which games require a license and which do not here: https://www.wsgc.wa.gov/forms/detail/np-add-activity-packet.aspx[O]
Another area where Washington regulators seem to have let go of the iron grip (in relation to other types of gambling such as online gambling) is the area of social gambling where the player in this instance is defined under RCW 9.46.0265 as, “a natural person who engages, on equal terms with the other participants, and solely as a contestant or bettor, in any form of gambling in which no person may receive or become entitled to receive any profit there from other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of a particular gambling activity. A natural person who gambles at a social game of chance on equal terms with the other participants shall not be considered as rendering material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of the social game merely by performing, without fee or remuneration, acts directed toward the arrangement or facilitation of the game, such as inviting persons to play, permitting the use of premises for the game, or supplying cards or other equipment to be used in the games.”
In a nutshell, this means that if nobody rakes in a profit and nobody pays a fee, social games of chance (including poker) are not illegal under Washington law.
Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
(C) Copyright PokerWebsites.com, 2018
References and Citations
Exploring the legalities of online gambling in Washington state was of key importance to us, as Washington's government has made it a point to criminalize some aspects of the game. If you are going to gamble online, you are actually breaking the law. We are here to explain to you what is safe, what is not, and what will get you slapped with a second degree felony. We do not want our readers to have to be punished under the law, so you will definitely want to follow our advice if you are going to even think about gambling online.
NFL Betting In Washington
Basketball is one of the best sports out here that fans love but NFL season coming back to the world will take all the shine that the NBA season has had. The fact of how the last NFL season ended already has bettors on their pins and needles ready for the NFL to be back to where they can watch and bet on their favorite teams and favorite games. These games they have week in and week out will have a very important matchup that will tell it all as we will see which bettor has done their research and have the most luck on their side throughout the season. Online sportsbooks will have all the games and different betting options available to all players as they will look forward to a profitable season.
Online Gambling Age For Washington Residents
If you are going to gamble in Washington, there is one thing you will definitely be happy to know - you can begin legally gambling as early as 18. If you decide to begin playing in a live or online gambling site, you will find that access can be earned as early as 18.
Washington Online Gambling Laws
Sadly, Washington State is not very friendly to online gambling. Unfortunately, there are actually written laws pertaining to online gambling in the state of Washington. According to RCW 9.46.240, he or she who 'knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the Internet, a telecommunications transmission system, or similar means, or knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information shall be guilty of a class C felony…”
This effectively means that you will be committing a Class C Felony for gambling online. Some other class C felonies? Possession of child pornography and arson. So by gambling online, you are actually committing a crime with the same penalties that are associated with burning down a building or watching illicit activities involving children. Of course, there is a key difference with online gambling: The state doesn’t enforce these laws (because, as you can see, it obviously has more serious matters to handle).
Gambling Sites That Accept Washington Residents
If you live in the state of Washington, you will find that players are able to access a number of gambling sites regardless of how the law feels about it. There are sportsbooks, poker rooms, casinos and more that will accept you regardless of where you live. We do not condone breaking the law, so we cannot recommend you actually follow our advice. We have made this information available simply in order for players to not risk being ripped off solely by joining up with the wrong gambling site.
Bovada: Has Online Casino Play For Washington Players
With some sports in their offseason preparing for next season, there are still ways bettors can make a lot of money on Bovada. You still have the online casino which produces a lot of winners as well. Even though these sporting events had different options, so does the online casino on Bovada. Having the chance to have a live dealer is one and they also have different slot games that bettors can capitalize on. All fun but also beneficial. This makes having a Bovada account worth it because there are so many ways where you can bet and earn money. There is nothing wrong with earning another paycheck and Bovada gives its users all kinds of ways to do that. Go To Bovada!
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Is Online Gambling Legal
No DE, MD, NJ, NY, NV
SportsBetting: The Best Place For Betting On The Pac-12
One gambling site that we can tell you is worth using is SportsBetting. This site has not yet pulled out of Washington state, deciding that it is safe and legal for WA residents to use. And boy do they use it! Over 100,000 Washington gamblers call SportsBetting home, with new members signing up all the time. SportsBetting gamblers can join from Washington, and nobody has ever been legally penalized for doing so in over two decades of action. New WA members who sign up now can receive SportsBetting’s 50% welcome match bonus worth up to $1000.
If you do decide to join SportsBetting, deposits can be made with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, wire transfers, money orders, cashier’s checks, and prepaid cards. Even better, of course, is the fact that SportsBetting now also accepts Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, DASH, Ethereum, and Litecoin banking options. Indeed, bettors who use cryptocurrency to make deposits at SportsBetting can get $4500 in early-bird bonuses to put towards their bankrolls.
Overall, SportsBetting has given their players access to one of the most enjoyable gambling experiences on the Internet, and we can tell you that this service one of the most impressive gambling sites online, despite the laws that are in place. Go To Sportsbetting.ag
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Online Casinos That Accept Washington Residents
If you do decide to ignore WA’s nonsensical and unenforceable laws and begin playing online gambling games, you will find that there are many options available. These begin with casinos. If you decide to partake in these casinos, you will be able to play a fairly wide number of table games, slots, poker variants, and more – often, you’ll have more options than actual live casinos!
Online Sports Betting Sites That Accept Washington Residents
The state of Washington has, as we have stated, made it a crime for you to gamble online. While you can theoretically be arrested for online gambling, you will find that the easiest way to bet on sports is by simply visiting one of the online gambling options we have listed. Of course, we do not officially recommend this. Wink wink, nudge nudge...
The best sportsbooks we don’t recommend using (ha!) are online betting sites like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, 5Dimes, BetDSI, and BookMaker. These are the top Internet sportsbooks in the world, and they all take Washington residents as customers. Joining is fast, secure, and free, and payouts are 100% guaranteed. You definitely should never use these sites for all your comprehensive WA sports betting needs. However, if you choose to go ahead and sign up with these books, we certainly won’t tell.
Online Poker Sites That Accept Washington Residents
Even though many of the largest Internet poker rooms have pulled out from the Washington Market, you will find that you do still have options. For Washington residents, we can tell you that there are still several poker rooms that enable you to participate without too many problems. The sportsbooks listed above tend to offer the best live-deal poker experiences, and you can play against real competitors. However, other sites that are more casino-oriented (like Lucky Red, Aladdin’s Gold, and the like), offer lots of kinds of themed video poker. Between these options, you are sure to find the right kind of card game for you.
Online Bingo Sites That Accept Washington Players
Most people don’t think of the Internet when they think of playing bingo, but you can easily do so by way of the online poker rooms and sportsbooks we have put forth. We want our readers to have access to safe online gambling options, and these bingo halls are the best in the business. 5Dimes probably has the best bingo options of any major all-in-one gambling site, but for dedicated bingo action, nobody beats Downtown Bingo for their sheer selection and promotional offers.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Washington?
We have had many ask us if online gambling is legal in Washington, and we have bad news - it is not. Of course, the state doesn’t appear to have ever bothered to enforce this restriction, and there is no record of any WA resident ever being arrested or even fined for betting over the Internet. While it is not likely that you will be the first, it remains a remote possibility. You’re more likely to be struck by lightning, but it’s good to understand your risks. That’s what gambling is all about, after all.
Washington is one of the few states in the US that has actually drafted and passed legislation that prohibits Internet gambling. The law, which can be found in RCW 9.46 of the state’s statutes, states that anyone who facilitates gambling over the Internet is in violation of the law. Reading this, and taking into account the authority that the state of Washington has, we have come to the opinion that this law restricts any actions that online gambling sites located in the state of Washington might take. In other words, this type of law restricts sportsbook and casino operators, not gamblers themselves.
This law does not, of course, have the jurisdiction to forbid operators of online, offshore gambling sites from facilitating gambling. While this law is in effect, however, we urge caution. But we don’t believe that it prohibits the use of an online gambling site that is located in another country, simply because it doesn’t have the authority to do so. There has never been a case of a Washington resident being charged with, let alone arrested for, online gambling when using an overseas, online gambling site.
Is It Safe To Gamble Online In Washington?
This is the million dollar question...and the answer is yes. (Now where’s my million dollars!?) While Washington puffs its chest and sounds really big and bad with its laws about online gambling, it’s all bluster and reality doesn’t back it up. The simple fact remains that the state has no way to stop you and no real way to catch you, either.
Instead, Washington is really strict re any person or business that attempts to offer online gambling within their state. The sites we have listed on this page get around this because they are not even based in the US. And, while they aren't regulated, Washington residents can know that they are safe when gambling with these sites because all have great reputations for paying players on time as well as friendly gambling deposit options for those living in Washington.
One day, Washington may actually institute laws legalizing online gambling and sports betting, as – in the case of the latter – the elimination of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) by the US Supreme Court allows the state to regulate its own sports betting industry as it sees fit. Whether sports betting and online gaming are available first at commercial locales or are simply rolled out at existing tribal casinos, there is not yet any indication of which way the WA state congress wishes to go in the near- to mid-term future.
Are Online Casinos Legal In Washington?
So if you want to know if online casinos are legal in Washington, you will not find that they technically are not. The laws of the land have made it so you are not supposed to gamble online, which means you are not going to be able to participate in these online casinos. While we wish this would change (and while it almost certainly will going forward), you are simply not going to be able to participate in the fun from a formally legal perspective. Of course, since WA doesn’t actually bother to enforce this archaic law, you can do as thou wilt without fear of legal recourse.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Washington?
As with online casinos, there is no legal online sports betting in Washington on a purely technical basis. We are sad that this is true, but you cannot legally participate in sports betting over the Internet. This has even caused some online sportsbooks to cease accepting residents from the state of Washington. Of course, all the top books – with the best legal teams who understand the industry’s laws better than anyone – still accept WA residents, and that alone should tell you that signing up at and using these sites is basically a risk-free proposition.
Is Online Poker Legal In Washington?
Online poker rooms were the first gambling outlets to stop serving players in Washington. Some of the world's largest online poker rooms pulled out of the Washington market after challenging the state's law banning online gambling under the pretext that online poker is a game of skill rather than a game of chance. Nevertheless, you can still access robust Internet poker rooms safely in WA, simply by going to the above recommended sites.
Can I bet On Horse Racing In Washington?
Yes, you can bet on horse racing in Washington. There are a number of horse racing tracks throughout the state that have been licensed to accept pari-mutuel wagers on both races taking place at their locations and on simulcast wagering. Simulcast wagering is betting on horse races that are taking place out of the state and being broadcast to your track. Horse racing betting can be done at land-based tracks and at online racebooks, so long as those racebooks are not US-based books. Fortunately, all the top sportsbooks listed here also offer robust national and international Thoroughbred racebooks for fans of the ponies.
Best Funding Methods For Washington Online Gambling Sites
There are a number of ways to fund your online account. Some are extremely fast, while others are more focused on having high deposit limits. No matter which method you use, they’ll all achieve the same goal – money in your account so you can start betting. Below are the top three funding methods available for Washington bettors.
- Bitcoin
- Credit Cards
- Money Order
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2017
Mobile Washington Gambling Apps
One of the best perks of using online, offshore gambling sites is their mobile betting features. These allow you to access your favorite sites from your iPhone, iPad, Android, Amazon Fire, or Windows Mobile device, all without having to download anything and without cutting out any of the great features you have come to expect through the standard desktop experience. Mobile Washington gambling can be done through any of the sites recommended on this page, so be sure to check them out.
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Us
Washington Gambling FAQ’s
Is It Legal To Bet On Horse Racing Online In The US?
The simple answer is yes, it is legal to bet on horse racing betting online in the US. While certain states, like Washington, have passed laws which prohibit how local racebooks may operate, they do not have the jurisdiction to prevent the usage of online horse racing betting sites that are based in other countries. These sites are regulated by their own authorities, like a gaming commission, and are also licensed by the proper authorities.
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2019
Do The Racebooks Above Offer Horse Racing Futures, Props, and Matchups?
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State University
All of the racebooks we recommend offer large selections of horse racing futures, props, and even matchups. You’ll be able to find all of them before you even sign up for an account, giving you a chance to see the odds before you sign up with the book. On top of all that, you’ll also have access to their daily free picks and their expert team of writers, who publish articles throughout the horse racing season and leading up to big events. Everything you need for successful horse racing betting can be found at the racebooks above.
Does My Payout Come Back Using The Same Deposit Method I Made?
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Now
It doesn’t have to, and in the case of credit card deposits, it literally can’t. When requesting a payout, unless the book has specifically stated that the method of deposit will have to match the method of withdrawal (which only applies when certain bonuses are in effect), it does not have to be the same. Most sites will allow you to choose how you withdraw winnings from your account. Each gambling site is different, though, so be sure to read the fine print before committing to a certain method. That said, our favorite withdrawal method is to simply use Bitcoin, as you can receive your funds the same day, withdrawal limits are high, and there are no added fees.
Will I go to jail for online gambling in Washington?
Asking if you will go to jail for online gambling is a tough question. While we have never heard of an arrest, we can tell you that it is a technical possibility. Kind of like getting hit by a meteor is a technical possibility (albeit that’s actually happened to a few people in the past). The law is very clear - if you gamble online, you could potentially be arrested. The penalties are hardly befitting of the 'crime,' so you may not want to take the risk, but the risk itself is laughably tiny, and you probably break more laws every day before breakfast without even thinking about it.