Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State

• Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Right Now
• Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2020
• Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Today
• Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2020
• Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State
• Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Capitol

Washington State is very strict with their gambling laws and is not friendly toward online gambling. Recently, those laws have changed from prosecuting anyone who participates in online gambling to focusing on only those that operate online gambling websites.

Washington State is in the top 5 states for the most live gambling venues. They have over 130 to choose from throughout the state. Residents can also play in local poker clubs and home games, so long as they follow the rules.

That said, Washington isn't a good place for online poker players. They have some of the most severest punishments if caught, and they are far from regulating online poker, if that's in their future at all.

• Playing Poker Legally in Washington. Is Online Poker Legal in Washington State? Online poker and gambling in general is illegal. The punishment if caught is a Class C felony, a $10,000 fine and/or up to 5 years in prison.
• Feb 11, 2014 Washington State is very strict with their gambling laws and is not friendly toward online gambling. Recently, those laws have changed from prosecuting anyone who participates in online gambling to focusing on only those that operate online gambling websites.
• 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).

Curious to know what you can and can't do in Washington? You'll have to read on.

Playing Poker Legally in Washington

Is Online Poker Legal in Washington State?

Online poker and gambling in general is illegal. The punishment if caught is a Class C felony, a $10,000 fine and/or up to 5 years in prison.

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. However, this section shall not apply to such information transmitted or received or equipment installed or maintained relating to activities authorized by this chapter or to any act or acts in furtherance thereof when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted under this chapter.

What about Home Poker Games?

Home poker games are legal under state law so long as no one takes a rake, fee or house profit.

RCW 9.46.0265

'Player.'

as used in this chapter, means 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 therefrom other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of a particular gambling activity.

Do Casinos in Washington Offer Poker?

There are many casinos in Washington that offer poker games -- at least 2 dozen. All are operated by local Indian tribes. You'll also find slots, video poker machines and table games like blackjack and 3-card poker.

In addition you'll find several poker clubs that run poker tournaments and sngs.

Washington Poker FAQs

We receive a lot of questions regarding state poker laws and the gambling laws for Washington. We thought that it would be helpful to post our answers below.

When will online poker be legal in Washington?

There hasn't been any word as of recently. Given their stance on internet gambling, it's hard to see the state changing their tune in the near future. However, you can't discount the fact that other states, such as Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey, will provide insight to states originally against the idea. It's possible that if intrastate poker is successful for these pioneers, that states like Washington will change their tune with time.

Regulated Real Money Poker in Washington - A Timeline of Events

Here is a timeline of events regarding online poker, gambling and real money regulation in Washington State. We'll update this section as news is released.

March 2013 / 2 Pro Poker Initiatives Filed

The first initiative will legalize and regulate online poker. The 2nd will eliminate any penalties against online poker players.

February 2013 / Online Poker Bill Dies

This bill would have reduce the penalty from a felony to a civil infraction.

Is there an online poker room that accepts players from Washington?

There are very few. Washington State is one of those states that US poker sites prohibit from signing up, even for play/fake money. That said, residents are still able to sign-up to BetOnline and Sportsbook Poker.

What other forms of regulated gambling is legal in Washington?

Washington offers horse racing, a state lottery and charitable gaming, in addition to the casino and poker games made available in their 130+ casinos.

Where can I read more about Washington poker laws?

You can read more about Washington's gambling laws at the following sites:

Here are some interesting facts about poker and gambling in Washington State.

• The largest casino / resort in the state is the Muckleshoot Indian Casino. In their poker room you'll find a variety of poker games including Texas holdem, omaha (hi/lo), HORSE and stud, in a variety of cash games and tournaments. Stakes for cash games range from 2/4 to 200/400 and tournaments can be entered for $30.That is pretty crazy for a state that is against online gambling as much as Washington.
• Washington law allowed $500 all-in bets in addition to the $40 maximum bet. The law was later changed to remove this law.
• A bill stalled in 2008 that would accept online poker players playing from their homes.
• Tyler Patterson, a poker pro, is from Everett, Washington. He has won over $1 million in tournament cashes. His biggest cash was a 1st place finish at the LA Poker Classic in February of 2013. He took home $19,080.

Additional Gambling Law Reviews

• Year Washington Regulated Gambling: Horseracing (1933), Bingo (1963), Lottery (1982), Indian Casinos (1992), Card Clubs (1997)
• Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: $445 million
• Estimated Gambling Revenue: $2.2 billion
• Washington Gambling Age: 18 for all gambling, although some casinos that serve alcohol require patrons to be 21
• Smoking ban: Washington bans smoking in all gaming establishments. State law does not apply to reservation casinos.
• Washington Online gambling: Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling. All others are expressly illegal.

Washington is one of the most liberal states in the country when it comes to gambling. This includes having many Washington casinos and card clubs spread throughout the state. The racing industry dates back to 1933. This includes live and off-track betting. Charitable gaming was legalized 40 years later. It is up to local jurisdictions to regulate. The Washington Lottery sells tickets for instant games and lotto drawings.

Card clubs in Washington state can offer live poker tables, as well as house-banked card games. This includes blackjack, baccarat, and proprietary games. Craps, roulette, slots and video poker are not permitted at card clubs. Tribal Washington casinos may spread these games.

Paying Gambling Taxes in the State of Washington

Did you know that your gambling income is taxable? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.

Washington Casinos Map & Guide

• Tulalip Resort Casino
• Little Creek Casino Resort
• Angel of the Winds Casino
• Muckleshoot Casino
• Emerald Queen Casino

• Number of B&M Casinos: 67
• Number of Poker Rooms: 52
• Number of Indian Casinos: 28

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Types of Washington Online Gambling Allowed

The only form of online gambling legal in Washington state is horse racing. TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica are among the sites that accept this action from Washington residents.

Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in Washington. No legitimate sites take players from the state. Washington state law forbids all forms of online gambling except horse racing. It is a felony to participate as either a player or operator.

Types of Live Washington Gambling

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Right Now

• Slots: Yes
• Blackjack: Yes
• Poker: Yes
• Craps/Roulette: Yes
• Horses: Yes
• Lottery: Yes

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2020

Washington gambling offers all types of betting action players can find. The state lottery sells scratch-off and lotto tickets. The most popular games are massive interstate jackpot drawings like Mega Millions and Powerball. Charities can spread bingo and raffle nights. There are racetracks that offer live and off-track betting.

Card clubs have live poker rooms and house-banked games like blackjack. These range from mini-casinos that have just a few tables to establishments that resemble full-service Washington casinos without the slots. It all depends on local law. Washington casinos on reservations can offer slots, video poker, live poker, craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and Pai Gow games.

Washington Gambling Laws

The most unusual Washington gambling law is its prohibition against online gambling. It is a felony to play any gambling game over the Internet. This applies to the participants and the operator. This is enough to keep daily fantasy sports sites out of the state. Even offshore sites that are probably violating every state law in every market they participate in avoid Washington. It is nearly impossible to find a legitimate poker, casino or sports betting site that accepts Washington residents because of this.

Live horse racing is legal in Washington. These tracks may operate race books. Online and mobile betting apps are also permitted if a license is issued.

Charities may offer bingo and raffles may be offered by nonprofit organizations. These must register with local jurisdictions, which have the ultimate right of regulation.

The state lottery is the only other group that is permitted to offer games of pure chance outside of reservations. The lottery may sell instant game and lotto tickets. The Washington Lottery may distribute these tickets through retailers but not over the Internet. State law permits the lottery to enter interstate drawings.

The minimum Washington gambling age is 18 years of age to enter. Washington casinos are allowed to raise the minimum gambling age to 21 years if alcohol is sold and served. Card clubs pay a tax rate of 20 percent on gaming revenue. Tribal Washington casinos must enter a gaming compact with the state that is negotiated by the governor. All of the gambling and casinos in Washington is licensed and regulated through the Washington State Gambling Commission.

List of Washington State Casinos

There are more than 60 Washington casinos within the state. These range from small card clubs with 15 or fewer tables to sprawling resorts with slots and dozens of table games on reservations. Players can find casinos in Potlach, with plenty of options to choose from, or go to the casinos in Chewela. To make it easier to find a casino, you can always look at the Washington casinos map located above for directions and more.

In addition to these casinos and card clubs, there are other places to gamble. There are four racetracks that offer live horse racing. Emerald Downs is the only track that offers a major live racing schedule. Dayton, Sun Downs, Waitsburg, and Walla Walla offer state fair racing for a handful of days each year. There are also bingo halls and lottery retailers.

History of Washington Gambling

Horse racing first started in Washington before it ever became a state. It was the first form of legalized gambling, not just in Washington, but in the entire region. Racing stood as the only form of regulated gaming until 1963 when voters affirmed a constitutional amendment that created charity gaming. Municipalities are given the right to regulate this type of gaming. Most permit it while others do not.

The state lottery was approved by Washington voters in November 1981. The structure of it passed the state legislature in 1982.

Native American Washington casinos were first approved in 1992. The first gaming compact was executed that year with the Tulalip tribe. This allowed for the first legal slots and video poker machines in the state. Card clubs had a $40 bet limit for years. After lobbying for more than 10 years, the limit was raised to $100 in 2013 for poker games not banked for the house. The bet limit for house-banked card games was raised to $300 in 2008. The clubs hoped to get that raised to $500 but have not been successful. This limit does not apply to reservations.

In 2006, the state legislature banned all forms of online gambling. The state made it a felony to play these games. It was done to protect the state’s card clubs and tribal casinos. In 2010, Margarita Prentice, sponsor of the bill at the time, told Gary Wise of ESPN,

“I just think some of these arguments are utter nonsense. You mean you’re going to move so you can play poker? Gee, lots of luck in your life.” Prentice continued, “I have nothing against card playing. That’s fine. If you want to do that, but I’m sure not going to worry about someone.” Then she hit online poker players in Washington with an offensive comment that was never forgotten. “Let them go pump gas,” Prentice said.

The online poker bill stands to this day. There was a court challenge in 2008. The Washington Supreme Court declared the bill constitutional. There were attempts to repeal the law and regulated online poker in 2015 and 2016. Both attempts failed.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Today

Washington Gambling FAQ

No. State law makes any form of online gambling a felony to play or operate. This includes online poker, casino games, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.

The minimum Washington gambling age is 18 years. Washington casinos and card clubs that sell alcohol have a minimum gambling age of 21 years.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State 2020

Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, blackjack, Three Card Poker, baccarat, Pai Gow Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are among the legal games in Washington card clubs.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State

Slots, video poker, electronic table games, blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and other house-banked card games are among the action available to Washington Native American casino patrons.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Washington State Capitol

No. Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in the state.

Yes. There are live races and off-track betting. This includes over the Internet and on mobile apps.