Legal casino gambling age in US-WA: 21
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Gambling in Washington
Legal casino gambling age in US-WA: 21
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Introduction
Gambling in Washington State is subject to strict regulation, with a particular focus on prohibiting online casino-style gambling. Washington law categorically bans the transmission and receipt of gambling information via the internet, telephone, or similar platforms, labeling these activities as class C felonies.
The state defines gambling as the act of staking something of value on the outcome of an event, with the expectation of a prize, covering a wide array of activities. This means that both individuals placing bets and those accepting them violate the law.
Washington's restrictive attitude towards gambling is further emphasized by its unique position in explicitly prohibiting sweepstakes casinos, just like Idaho does, while most other states accept them in some form. Additionally, while social casinos that do not involve real money gambling are available in a large number of states as well, they face limitations in Washington as well.
This has led to a situation where residents have limited options, with traditional casinos and real-money betting largely restricted to physical locations. Gambling options local players have at their disposal include card rooms, online horse racing betting, off-track betting parlors (OTBs), and the state lottery.
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Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Washington?
According to Washington law, any form of online gambling is strictly prohibited. More specifically, transmission and receiving gambling information via telephone, internet, and other similar means is considered a class C felony.
Washington law is very precise in defining what constitutes as gambling. For something to be labeled as gambling, it needs to include the action of staking something of value as consideration of the outcome of an event (for example, a contest), and the agreement regarding the scenario in which the prize will be granted.
So, placing a bet on sports events, playing card and table games in the online format, and purchasing a raffle ticket online are all actions that violate the law. Both a person placing a bet/wager and the one accepting it are in violation of the law if they are caught doing the above-mentioned.
As for the definition of “gambling information”, that encompasses not only wagers made but all that’s related to wagers in general, betting odds, and changes in betting odds.
Altogether, it is evident that The Evergreen State is extremely rigorous when it comes to gambling online. What’s even more, Washington and Idaho are the only US states that have specifically prohibited sweepstakes casinos, while the remaining 48 accept them in some form.
When it comes to social casinos, they aren’t in the most favorable position either. Although they strictly classify themselves as platforms that don’t offer real money gambling, social casinos are also not permitted in Washington. In June 2024, High 5 Games' apps, which are advertised as social gambling, were declared illegal by the Washington court.
Which Online Casino Games Can Be Played in Washington?
Due to the above-described circumstances, fans of online gambling from Washington have quite a limited choice of options at their disposal. As a matter of fact, the only potential option they have is social casinos, provided that their Terms don’t specifically restrict registrations from Washington.
If they manage to find a social casino that accepts players from Washington, they would be able to explore slot games, and a limited selection of table games, including baccarat, roulette, blackjack, and poker.
What needs to be clarified is that these games mimic traditional online casino games, but they are not played for real money. Instead, players use virtual currencies which are awarded for daily logins, playing games, through bonuses and campaigns, and so on.
Slot games represent the most abundant group of games in casinos simply because most of the content providers are focused on developing digital one-armed bandits. They leave lots of room to experiment with features, mechanics, themes, and so on, plus they are suitable for various budget sizes.
Comparing the situation with neighboring states, it’s interesting to note that Oregon allows sports betting but Idaho doesn’t. In Oregon, players can enjoy a variety of betting options through Oregon Lottery via an app powered by DraftKings.
None of the two states is required to pay any taxes for sports betting, but in Washington, participating tribes are required to split the costs after the fact.
When it comes to popular sports to bet on, in Washington, consumers can bet on:
- NFL - Seatle Seahawks
- NBA - no hometown team, though
- MLB- Seattle Mariners
- NHL- Seattle Kraken
Worth noting is that Washington’s law prohibits betting on in-state college teams.
Sports Betting in Washington
After the bill HB 2638 was passed into law in 2020, Washington officially became a state in which sports betting is legal. The first location to accept a legal sports bet in the state was the Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie.
As far as the law defined it, each of the federally recognized Native American tribes in the state received approval to offer sports betting. If interested in providing this activity, tribes need to apply to have their compacts amended.
Both retail and online gambling are permitted, but there’s a catch. Sports betting activity is limited to tribal lands only, regardless of how it occurs, but the situation is changing as the growing number of local casinos has teamed up with renowned operators such as Caesars or DraftKings to offer this option through the site or an app.
Gambling Regulator in Washington
Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) is a limited-jurisdiction law-enforcement agency in charge of issuing licenses, crafting regulations, and enforcing them.
The institution closely collaborates with local, state, federal, tribal, and international law enforcement agencies and puts efforts to promote social welfare and keep criminal elements out of the gambling industry.
Valuing integrity, professionalism, respect, and diversity, the Washington State Gambling Commission conducts fair and effective gambling regulatory and enforcement programs, while anticipating and responding to the evolving gambling industry.
The institution gathers 5 commissioners tasked to make policy and budget decisions, and an additional four ex-officio members in charge of approving and amending tribal-state Class III gaming compacts.
Depositing and Withdrawing when in WA
Take a look at the table below to get a complete insight into deposit/withdrawal and banking term rankings in casinos that accept players from Washington. This should help you make an informed decision.
If interested in comparing how Washington stands among other US states, check out deposit and withdrawal methods for players from the United States, which offers a complete insight into payment options that can be used US-wide, and their scores.
Conclusion
Washington's gambling laws remain one of the most restrictive in the United States, particularly concerning online gambling. The state has outlawed a wide range of online betting activities, making it illegal to place wagers or engage in online gambling-related exchanges.
This includes restrictions on both real-money gambling and the use of virtual currencies in social casinos. Although certain forms of gambling, like sports betting, are allowed, they are tightly regulated and confined to tribal lands. The law permits tribes to offer both retail and online sports betting but limits these activities to specific locations on tribal property.
Washington’s unique approach contrasts with its neighboring states, such as Oregon, where sports betting is more accessible through platforms like DraftKings. Despite these restrictions, the state has made steps toward modernizing its gambling landscape, with the legalization of sports betting in 2020 and the increasing collaboration between local casinos and major operators.
As the industry continues to evolve, Washington residents must navigate a complex legal framework that prioritizes regulation and control over accessibility to gambling options. The state's Gambling Commission plays a key role in ensuring compliance and maintaining the integrity of the industry.
Related Reading
Blacklisted Casinos to Avoid for Players in Washington View All
Gibson Casino
- Gibson Casino is highly problematic, with numerous complaints from players who report that the casino refuses to pay out legitimate winnings.
Winbig21 Casino
- This casino has demonstrated ongoing issues with processing payments and maintaining reliable communication.
Tropica Casino
- In September 2016, the affiliate program was abruptly closed, and the website now shows nothing but a blank page.
Just Bet Casino
- We strongly recommend not making any deposits at this casino. Our attempts to contact them have been unsuccessful, and all emails are currently bouncing back.
