Washington stands out as being among the more restrictive states when it comes to online gambling, enacting strict restrictions against casinos and poker sites while allowing charitable gaming and sports betting. Furthermore, 29 federally recognized tribes can operate land-based casinos offering traditional casino games and sports betting. Furthermore, Washington offers lottery services as well as house banked card rooms which are run independently from tribes within its borders.
Washington doesn’t regulate or license online casinos, yet social gambling – where players participate in private games without making a profit – is legal and licensed establishments provide this form of entertainment gambling that cannot be accessed from outside Washington state. Anyone found participating in illegal online gambling activities could face fines and/or jail time.
The Evergreen State’s law on sports wagering is more nuanced. While professional events, college and esports events are all eligible, in-state schools or minor league teams do not. Furthermore, this state’s statute specifically makes placing illegal bets illegal under either state or federal law a felony that carries up to five years imprisonment with or $10,000 fine as penalties for such bettors.
While California does not permit regulated online gambling, TwinSpire and TVG allow advance deposit wagering on horse racing through sites like TwinSpire. Charitable gaming organizations with licenses can host bingo games and raffles; however, daily fantasy sports competitions (DFSs) are strictly forbidden.
Washington’s legal landscape concerning online gambling is continuously shifting, and experts predict that in time it will be possible to play real money games at regulated sites; however, creating this infrastructure may take several years; therefore, some operators have established offshore operations which accept players from all over the globe – including Washington state players.
Washington’s gaming regulations can be complex, and their legal status is still evolving. At present, Washington does not regulate any form of iGaming including poker; although most major sites do not accept Washington residents as customers they do not fall under any state or federal oversight regulations.
Washington’s future online gambling landscape could include legislative regulation. For now, however, residents can enjoy gambling at one of Washington’s 30 tribal casinos which welcome all ages with full ranges of casino games available to all age groups. Non-tribal casinos and gambling halls also exist within its borders – 29 federally recognized tribes have Class III gaming compacts that permit their operation along with slots, table games, keno, video poker, and pull tabs available at these facilities.