Washington State Online Gambling
Washington may not be the first place in the US people think of when it comes to gambling, but the Evergreen State is still welcoming to several forms of land-based gambling. You can bet on sports, play casino games like poker, buy lottery tickets, and bet on horse racing legally.
However, it’s a different story for online gambling, with many popular ways to play unavailable and others heavily restricted based on where you are in the state. Even though Washington law allows tribal casinos to offer online wagering, no casino has yet taken the plunge. So, to find out exactly what is available in the Evergreen State, continue reading our complete guide to Washington online gambling.
Best Washington State Gambling Sites
Even though most types of online gambling are not yet legal in Washington State, there are still a few options for players, both beginners and experts alike. Whether you’re looking for a way to pass the time or hoping to strike it big, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best online gambling sites in Washington below.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Washington State?
While Washington has been somewhat welcoming to land-based gambling over the years, online gambling is a more complex issue. For starters, online casinos and online poker remain illegal in the state. Unlike other US states, Evergreen State players cannot access most sweepstakes and social casino sites.
Other popular online gambling options like Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are also prohibited. When sports betting was legalized in 2020 with Governor Jay Inslee signing HB 2638 into law, it allowed Native American tribes oversight over sports betting. So far, one tribe has launched an online sports betting app you can use only on tribal land, Snoqualmie Casino.
Below, we’ll dive into the specifics of what types of online gambling are available in the Evergreen State.
Washington State Gambling History
While most people don’t think of Washington as a gambling-friendly state, it is very welcoming to in-person gambling. You can play casino games, enjoy poker, place bets on horse racing, and wager on professional sports legally at land-based gambling venues. There is also a state-wide lottery. However, online gambling is much more restricted.
- 1899: The Washington State legislature passes laws to ban lotteries.
- 1933: Washington legalizes pari-mutuel horse racing betting.
- 1971: Bingo and raffles become legal.
- 1972: Residents of Washington support SJR 5 by a 60% majority, paving the way for gambling in WA.
- 1973: The Washington Gambling Commission is created to oversee bingo, raffles, pull tabs, and more types of gambling.
- 1974: Card rooms are added to the remit of the Washington Gambling Commission.
- 1982: Washington legalizes a lottery.
- 1987: Off-track pari-mutuel horse racing betting becomes legal.
- 1992: In response to the US-wide Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Lummi Tribe and Tulalip Tribe opened the state’s first tribal casinos.
- May 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), allowing each US state to legalize sports betting.
- March 2020: HB 2638, a bill to legalize sports betting through Native American tribes in Washington, passes the House by a vote of 83-14. This sends the bill to the Governor.
- March 2020: Governor Jay Inslee signs HB 2638 into law, which comes into immediate effect, legalizing sports betting.
- September 9, 2021: The first retail sportsbook in Washington opens at Snoqualmie Casino.
- December 20, 2021: The first sportsbook app in Washington is launched by Snoqualmie Casino. You can only use this platform on tribal grounds.
Legal Gambling Options in Washington State
The legal gambling options available in Washington State are trickier to define compared to other US states. This is because while other states have regulations that allow for state-wide online play within state borders, WA has certain types of gambling you can only enjoy within tribal territory. For example, while online sports betting is legal, you can’t play from the comfort of your home. Below, we have listed what types of gambling are available to give you an overview.
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | 1988 |
| Online Poker | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Poker | Yes | 1988 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes (limited to tribal land) | 2020 |
| Retail Sports Betting | Yes | 2020 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | No | N/A |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 1933 |
| Lottery | Yes | 1982 |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes | 1973 |
Sports Betting
The first type of betting to become legal in Washington State was horse racing/pari-mutuel betting all the way back in 1933. Very little else happened regarding gambling legislation in the following decades up until the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was overturned in 2018, ending the federal ban on new sports betting legislation.
Sports betting was legalized in Washington State in 2020 through gaming compacts with Native American tribes. In September 2021, Snoqualmie Casino accepted the first retail sports bets in WA from former NBA player Shawn Kemp.
You can place bets on sports at retail sportsbooks at land-based casinos. Currently, four sportsbooks are in partnership with Tribal Casinos in Washington State. These include BetMGM in partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Emerald Queen Casinos, FanDuel in partnership with the Suquamish Tribal Gaming Commission, DraftKings partnered with Tulalip Tribes of Washington, and Caesars with Muckleshoot Casino.
Additionally, some operators provide online wagering platforms you can only use on tribal land. Plus, while you can bet on a wide range of professional sports, wagers on college sports are still illegal in the state.
Online Casino
It is important to note that online casinos are considered illegal in Washington State. The Washington State Gambling Commission classifies using them as a Class C felony. This also covers sweepstake and social casinos, making it unlikely these operators will accept players from Washington State.
Poker
The state of Washington State has nearly two dozen casinos operated by local Native American Tribes. Many of these gambling venues feature fully functioning poker rooms and video poker games. However, online poker remains illegal. In fact, Washington State lawmakers even added Article 9.46.240 to the Revised Code of Washington in 2009 to confirm all older legislation is still in place.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Following the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, many states in the US permitted DFS as a game of skill rather than chance. However, in 2016, Washington clarified that it categorizes DFS contests as games of luck and are, therefore, illegal.
Lottery
The lottery has been available in Washington State since it was signed into law on July 16, 1982, with ticket sales beginning four months later. This boom was huge, too, with a whopping 9.6 million tickets sold in the initial week.
To keep things above the law, the lottery is run solely by the state government and provides players with eight lottery draws. You can buy lottery tickets online, but you can check winning numbers and find out information about the range of scratch card games available in WA.
Responsible Gambling in Washington State
While gambling can be a fun form of entertainment, it is crucial to keep the risks in mind. Anyone who spots signs of gambling addiction, including gambling starting to impact your personal and professional life, should seek out help.
Washington casinos train staff to spot signs of problem gambling and help players who need assistance. In addition, there are plenty of state-specific resources gamblers can use in Washington. The WSGC (Washington State Gambling Commission) offers confidential help 24 hours a day at 800-547-6133 or a chat online option. You can also access resources from independent organizations like Gamblers Anonymous, which organizes meetings across Washington and provides a helpline.
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Washington State?
As per the laws of Washington State, online gambling is not allowed, except for using certain pre-approved apps on tribal land. Any other form of online betting, except horse racing, is considered a class C felony in the Evergreen state.
Can I bet on sports in Washington State?
Of course you can! Since 2020, sports betting on tribal land has been legal in Washington. You’ll find a range of retail sportsbooks at land-based casinos, and some operators may even provide online apps you can use on tribal land.
Does Washington State have any online casinos?
No. Online casinos and most sweepstakes casinos are illegal in Washington State. However, there are some exceptions, such as specific horse racing and access to tribal-owned casino apps. However, it is essential to note that these app exceptions only apply when playing on tribal land.
IS DFS legal in Washington State?
DFS is not yet legal in Washington State. Attempts have been made to change this, with two unsuccessful bills in 2019 and a tribal liaison with DraftKings and FanDuel in 2023. Washington is one of only five states with a complete DFS ban, alongside Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana.
Are Washington online gambling sites safe?
The only online gambling sites that are safe in Washington are those that have partnerships with local Native American tribes and are only accessible on tribal land. Any site claiming to provide gambling in other areas of Washington is operating illegally.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Washington State?
You will have to pay taxes to the IRS for your gambling winnings, including completing a W-2G form if you win more than $600 from sports betting. In addition, you may need to include your gambling winnings in your income tax.
