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What you need to know about Washington Online Casino in 2024

Veronica Foster Publication byV. Foster

From Mount Rainier to the bustling streets of Seattle, there’s plenty to love about Washington State. While there are many fun things to do in the Evergreen State, one thing residents (and tourists) might not be able to do as of yet is enjoy online gambling. Unfortunately, online gambling in Washington state is virtually non-existent.

While there are some limited options for online gambling, such as online sports betting within the bounds of a tribal casino, there are few options to win real money with Washington online casinos. For those who love to play casino games for fun, sweepstakes casinos offer tons of table games, poker games, online slots, and so much more for free. Sadly, even these sites remain illegal in Washington.

Whether you’re looking for legal gambling online or want to know more about the ins and outs of how lawmakers in Washington regulate online gambling, here’s a quick rundown. Familiarize yourself with these laws before placing your hard-earned money on shady gambling sites.

Why Should You Read This Review About Washington Online Casinoі?

You should read our review of Washington online casinos because we highlight the critical information that online gambling is illegal in Washington and can lead to felony charges. By reading it, you will be aware of the legal risks and therefore can make a safer decision by opting for tribal land-based casinos in the state. A more detailed understanding will prevent legal issues and inform you about the only legal gambling venues in Washington.

Online Gambling Washington State Laws

If you want to gamble online with casino games, you’ll be a bit disappointed living in Washington. That’s because the state is one of the strictest when it comes to illegal online gambling. Currently, the only form of legal wagering is through sports betting online. Tribal casinos are now allowed to offer sports apps so you can bet on your favorite teams from a mobile device. However, this is only an option while within the area of a tribal casino.

In addition, while other states only make it a misdemeanor to illegally gamble online, this is quite different in Washington. Operating or betting with illegal online gambling Washington sites, or transmitting gambling information even through telephone is considered a Class C felony! In Washington, that means you might be punished by up to five (5) years in prison and $10,000 in fines! If you want to partake in legal online gambling, stick to legal sites like a social casino site.

How does Washington Regulate Gambling?

The Washington State Gambling Commission, or WSGC, is responsible for regulating WA casino games at tribal casinos, sports betting, charitable games, and house-banked card rooms, just to name a few. In addition, if you have any reports, such as illegal Washington gambling sites, it’s recommended to call the Gambling Commission first. They can point you in the right direction and determine if the online gambling sites you encounter are legal or illegal.

In addition, anyone who wants to apply to renew or get a new license to operate a gambling site should contact the Commission for help. If you already have a license, you’ll also need to report any changes such as a change of address, name change, and more.

Lastly, if you feel you have a problem with online wagering and need to take a break, you can contact the Commission for help. They’ll accept your application to self-exclude, which is one of the best ways to practice responsible gambling.

The state’s lottery is currently overseen by five members of the Lottery Commission. As for horse betting, which is legal online and in-person, this is regulated by the Washington Horse Racing Commission.

Online Casino Gambling in Washington

There are currently no legal WA online casino sites that allow players to wager anything of value for a game of chance. This means that you won’t be able to place a wager on a table game, poker games, jackpot games, jackpot slots, or live dealer games. That’s quite the setback for residents who love online casino gaming!

Sadly, there are also no sweepstakes casinos in Washington either. Sweepstakes casinos operate in a sort of gray area in other states. While online gambling legal loopholes make it possible to get prizes from contests on these sites, Washington’s laws have strictly prohibited winning any form of cash prizes even for contests. If you want to play video poker games, progressive jackpot games, or explore slot games and other casino games, your best bet will be to visit one of the state’s many tribal casinos.

Washington Online Poker

Online poker remains strictly prohibited in Washington state. If you want to play poker, you can visit one of the house-banked card rooms. They offer exciting games like Texas Hold ’em, Three Card poker, and Pai Gow to players and can be open for up to 24 hours a day. Online poker, however, remains illegal.

Washington Daily Fantasy Sports

Washington is one of the few states that outright ban Fantasy Sports. If DraftKings ever came to the state, it would be the best Washington online site for Fantasy Sports. To date, however, even this sports betting giant isn’t allowed to accept players from the Evergreen state. If you see advertisements for Fantasy Sports online, know that these sites, like other illegal casino sites, are probably offshore or illegal.

Washington Sports Betting

Sports betting was recently legalized in March of 2020. While you can partake in online gambling in Washington on your favorite sports teams, this can only be done at several tribal retail casinos in the state. This means that you can download a mobile sportsbook app, fund your account at the casino, such as at Snoqualmie Casino, and place bets. However, you must be present within the casino property to do so.

Washington Online Horse Betting

Believe it or not, online horse betting is actually fully legal in Washington! While most players might not be interested in gambling on horse races, it’s one of the only fully legal forms of online gambling that’s allowed by Washington law as of 2004. This is when RCW 67.16.260 was passed to allow advance deposit wagering. The Washington Racing Commission allows bets online from popular sites like TVG and Twin Spires.

Washington Lottery

Washington offers 30 rotating scratch-offs and jackpot games. It is part of several multi-state lotteries. This includes Powerball and MegaMillions. Most of the proceeds go toward education programs in the state. However, there are also funds routed toward natural resource centers and economic development programs. You cannot play games online and must visit a retail location to purchase a ticket.

Washington Land-Based Casinos

What Washington lacks in online casino sites, it makes up for in land-based casinos! Sure, there are no online casinos or online poker legal sites available. But, there are dozens of house-banked card rooms where you can play up to 15 table games 24/7. The state’s 28 tribal casinos offer everything from slot games and table games to traditional casino games like baccarat, craps, roulette, and more! Here are the tribal casinos that are worth a visit in the Evergreen state.

History of Gambling Legislation in Washington

Washington has had quite the changes in gambling laws.

The first major breakthrough came in 1982 when the state legalized a state-run lottery. On July 16, 1982, Governor John Spellman signed House Bill No. 1251 into effect, making the state lottery one of the most important funding sources for state programs like education.
The next big win for gambling came in 1992 when the Lummi Tribe opened the state’s first casino in the state. This came only four years after the 1988 Supreme Court ruling in favor of tribal casinos through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Residents would then have more access to gambling, table games, and player-versus-player games through mini-casinos. Also known as house-banked card rooms, these are perfectly legal in Washington and have been since 1997. Today, you can find them inside pubs, grills, and restaurants.
Sadly, 2006 would prove one of the toughest years for online gambling fanatics, as the state made it a class C felony to gamble for real money online. The state’s law against online gambling remains one of the toughest in the nation.
Fortunately, 2020 was a good year, allowing sports betting to be run by tribal casinos when Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 2638 into effect on March 25th. Since then, a new bill, SB 5587 – 2023-24, has been proposed to allow mini-casinos to also allow sports betting pools. However, this bill remains in committee.

1982
1992
1997
2006
2020
2024
Legalization of State Lottery

The first major breakthrough came in 1982 when the state legalized a state-run lottery. On July 16, 1982, Governor John Spellman signed House Bill No. 1251 into effect, making the state lottery one of the most important funding sources for state programs like education.

Opening of First Tribal Casino

The next big win for gambling came in 1992 when the Lummi Tribe opened the state’s first casino in the state. This came only four years after the 1988 Supreme Court ruling in favor of tribal casinos through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Introduction of Mini-Casinos

Residents would then have more access to gambling, table games, and player-versus-player games through mini-casinos. Also known as house-banked card rooms, these are perfectly legal in Washington and have been since 1997. Today, you can find them inside pubs, grills, and restaurants.

Online Gambling Criminalized

Sadly, 2006 would prove one of the toughest years for online gambling fanatics, as the state made it a class C felony to gamble for real money online. The state’s law against online gambling remains one of the toughest in the nation.

Authorization of Tribal Casino Sports Betting

Fortunately, 2020 was a good year, allowing sports betting to be run by tribal casinos when Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 2638 into effect on March 25th.

Proposal for Mini-Casino Sports Betting Introduced

Since then, a new bill, SB 5587 – 2023-24, has been proposed to allow mini-casinos to also allow sports betting pools. However, this bill remains in committee.

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Washington Online Casinos FAQ

What is the gambling age in Washington?

If you want to play casino games at tribal casinos, you need to be 21 years old. However, you only need to be 18 to play punchboards, pull tabs, the lottery, and participate in fund-raising events.

Who regulates gambling in Washington?

The state’s Gambling Commission oversees rulemaking on gambling, sports betting, and licensing. The Horse Racing Commission oversees horse betting, and the Lottery Commission oversees the state lottery.

Are Washington online casinos legal?

No, there are no online casinos that are legal in Washington. This also includes traditionally legal casinos known as sweepstakes. Offshore sites operate in a gray area but are highly susceptible to fraud.

Can I win real money at online casinos in Washington?

No, you cannot win any real money at Washington online casinos. The state makes it a Class C felony to gamble real money online. Even promotional contests that offer cash prizes, which is the hallmark of sweepstake casinos, and Daily Fantasy Sports are illegal.

Are gambling winnings taxable in Washington?

Your gambling winnings from tribal casinos are only taxable according to the federal tax rate of 24%. However, Washington State does not have an income tax, meaning they will not collect taxes on any of your winnings.

When will online casinos be legal in Washington?

There is currently a bill in committee that proposes sports betting be made legal in Washington for existing mini-casinos. However, that’s about it in terms of legislation to make online gambling legal. Even sweepstakes casinos remain illegal, which makes the state one of the most staunchly opposed to online gambling. It’s doubtful this will change anytime soon.

Veronica Foster Written by Veronica Foster

I’m a seasoned gambler with a decade of experience in games like blackjack and roulette, and a particular fondness for slot machines. Now, as a writer for iGaming IQ Inc and Lucky Gambler, I use my expertise to educate others on smart, responsible betting, winning strategies, and choosing the best online casinos.

Veronica's articles and reviews