Last Updated:
Oct 18th, 2024
When it comes to online gambling, Washington is currently very limited. With real money online casinos and sweepstakes both being illegal, the only option players have to play their favorite games is social casinos. Find out more in our in-depth guide below.
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Established 2022
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Online Gambling in WashingtonReal-money online casinos weren’t legal in Washington at the time of writing this guide. In fact, any company offering online wagering in the state will be charged with a Class C felony. You can use social online casinos to play free games. However, any form of real-money wagering is illegal. In fact, even sweepstakes casinos are illegal in Washington State.Despite these restrictions, tribal casinos are available in the state. They’re regulated by the Washington Indian Gaming Association and allow various forms of gambling, including slots, table games, and poker. Tribal casino operators have also been allowed to offer legal sports betting since 2020.Most tribal casinos offer sports betting onsite, but some have digital partners. This makes mobile sports betting possible in the state, but only within the confines of a tribal casino. That’s different from other states that allow mobile betting from anywhere within state lines.Overall, Washington law is restrictive when it comes to all forms of gambling. It’s possible to gamble online, but only under strict conditions. The state doesn’t have any retail casinos, and sweepstakes gaming is prohibited. Based on these factors, it’s unclear when or if online casino gambling in Washington will be legal.The Gambling Age in WashingtonThe minimum gambling age in Washington is 18. You can legally play casino games and bet on sport in tribal casinos. The only type of legal online gambling in the state is social gaming. All other forms of gambling are illegal.Are There Taxes on Gambling Winnings in Washington?Washington State doesn’t collect gambling taxes. Therefore, you can play games or bet on sport at tribal casinos and not pay any state taxes. You may, however, be liable for federal tax at a rate of 24% on gambling profits.How are Washington Online Casinos Regulated?Washington law doesn’t allow people to gamble online. As per the Washington State Gambling Commission, retail casinos and sportsbooks are illegal. Tribal casinos are, however, legal. As well as games, tribal casinos can offer legal sports betting.Social Casinos in WashingtonSweepstakes casinos aren’t legal in Washington, which means you can’t play games, win Sweeps Coins, and redeem them for cash prizes. Social gaming sites are available though. Social Washington casino sites offer hundreds of games and promotions. The only difference between a social site and a real-money Washington online casino is the credits you earn.As we’ve said, Washington online gambling is illegal, so you can’t make cash bets. Social casinos don’t contravene this law because the credits you wager don’t have any value. They’re, essentially, “play” money credits that allow you to enjoy a variety of games without wagering any cash. One of the best free-play Washington casino apps is BetRivers.net.BetRivers.net Social Casino
Established 2020
Must Be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
BetRivers.net is the closest thing to a real-money online casino Washington has to offer. This website is an offshoot of BetRivers, a popular real-money casino available in other US states. It uses Rush Street Interactive software, so you get access to over 450 well-known casino games, including Cash Machine, Mustang Gold, and Slingo.For all intents and purposes, BetRivers.net is identical to the best real-money online casino sites. The only notable difference is the fact you’re wagering chips without any value. Not only is BetRivers.net ideal for bettors who enjoy casino gaming, but it’s also a glimpse into what’s possible if the Washington gambling sites are ever legalized.Top Features:Enjoy 450+ free-play casino gamesFree live dealer casino games, including Lightning RouletteFree casino tournaments and rewards Promotions: Spin the bonus wheel for virtual prizesWhat Casino Games Are Available in Washington?Bettors who want to experience the thrill of gaming without wagering a cent can play these games at WA online casino sites such as BetRivers.net:SlotsTribal gaming venues such as Muckleshoot Casino focus primarily on traditional slots with three or five reels. They also have progressive jackpot games. Bettors who want slots with bonus features and innovations such as Megaways should try a free-play website such as BetRivers.net.BlackjackYou can play blackjack in a variety of ways in Washington State. Tribal casinos offer Vegas and Atlantic City rules games, while a social Washington casino online will have novel variants such as Double Exposure and Xchange.RouletteWashington State casinos have every type of roulette variant you can imagine. American and European roulette games are available in tribal casinos. Log into a social casino website and you’ll have even more choice. In addition to the classics, online bettors can try enhanced payout games, such as Lightning Roulette, as well as games with unique features such as two wheels.Poker GamesYou can play poker games such as Texas Hold’em in Washington’s land-based casinos. Go online and dozens of poker games put you in heads-up showdowns with casino deals. The aim of these games is to make a higher-ranked hand than the dealer. The main variants you’ll find online are Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud.Video PokerVideo poker is all about making ranked hands. You start with five cards and have the option to swap as many as you want. A second deal then takes place and, if you’ve got a qualifying hand, you win a prize based on its rank.Live Dealer GamesThe average social casino website in Washington won’t have live dealer casino games. That’s because these games are more expensive to run than their digital counterparts. Therefore, casino operators only allow you to play them by making real-money bets. However, some social casinos do have live dealer games. For example, if you log into the BetRivers.net website, you’ll be able to play live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. If that’s not enough, BetRivers.net also has free live dealer game shows such as Dream Catcher.Land-Based Casinos in WashingtonThere are 29 federally recognized land-based casinos in Washington. These casinos are all owned by Native American tribes and operate under Washington Indian Gaming Association laws. Some of the biggest tribal casinos in Washington are listed below.Casino NameCasino AddressTelephone NumberOwner/OperatorNo. of SlotsMuckleshoot Casino2402 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98002+1 800-804-4944Muckleshoot Tribe3,500+Ilani Casino1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield, WA 98642+1 877-464-5264Cowlitz Indian Tribe3,000+Tulalip Resort Casino10200 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271+1 888-272-1111Tulalip Tribes of Washington2,500+Emerald Queen Casino Tacoma2920 E R St, Tacoma, WA 98404+1 253-594-7777Puyallup Tribe of Indians2,100+Snoqualmie Casino37500 SE North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, WA 98065+1 425-888-1234Snoqualmie Indian Tribe1,700+Cardrooms in WashingtonLive poker rooms have been legal in Washington State since gambling regulations were introduced in 1973. What’s interesting about poker rooms in WA is that they’re not confined to tribal casinos. Many of the state’s land-based casinos do have poker rooms. However, it’s also possible to play Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, Draw, and Mixed Games in independent cardrooms. Some of the best places to play poker in Washington State are:CardroomNumber of tablesCityCaribbean Cardroom Kirkland10 am to 5 am15 poker tablesCash games and tournamentsFortune Poker RoomOpen 24/716 poker tablesCash games and tournamentsPalace Casino Lakewood12 am to 12 am8 poker tablesCash games and tournamentsAce’s Poker Room10 am to 6 am15 poker tablesCash games and tournamentsMuckleshoot Casino Poker RoomOpen 24/732 poker tablesCash games and tournamentsWhat Other Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Washington?Casino gambling is legal in Washington if it’s conducted by licensed operators on tribal land. These casinos can also offer sports betting and poker games. All other forms of betting are illegal in Washington State and regarded as a Class C felony.Sports BettingLegal sports betting is available in tribal casinos in Washington State. In-person bets are possible and, in some cases, it’s possible to wager money online via an app. However, you need to be within the casino to use these mobile sports betting apps.Horse BettingBetting on horse racing events has been legal in Washington State since 1872. Parimutuel betting has been legal since 1933, which means you can wager money on live and simulcast races at tracks and licensed off-track venues.Washington LotteryState and national lottery games are legal in Washington State. The Washington Gambling Commission oversees eight draws, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Hit 5, and Daily Keno. Anyone in the state aged 18+ can play lottery games.Daily Fantasy SportsDaily fantasy sports (DFS) competitions are illegal in Washington. In fact, it’s one of the few US states that have passed laws that explicitly outlaw DFS.Charitable GamingCharitable gaming is legal in Washington State. Charities must be registered and operational for at least 12 months before they can offer bingo games and raffles. Additionally, organizations must have a special license if they want to offer more than 2 gambling events in a calendar year.Responsible Gambling in WashingtonGambling should be fun. This means you shouldn’t risk more than you can afford to lose or gamble to the point that it affects your personal life. Every legit website and land-based gambling operator in the state gives you access to these tools:Problem gambling advice and tipsWays to limit the amount you wagerProvisions for limiting access to casino gaming and sports bettingIn addition to these responsible gambling tools, here are some resources to help you stay in control every time you play casino games or bet on sports:Washington State Gambling Commission’s list of resourceswalottery.com/responsibility/evergreencpg.org/What the Future Holds for Online Gambling Washington SitesWill online gambling WA sites ever become a reality? At this stage, it’s hard to say. State lawmakers have repeatedly blocked attempts to regulate commercial casino gaming and sports betting. Therefore, at this stage, it looks as though something significant needs to change if online gambling in Washington is going to happen. That being said, you can still play casino games and bet on sports in tribal venues. What’s more, you can use social gaming websites to play slots, blackjack, and other casino games for free using your computer or mobile.Timeline of Gambling Legislation in Washington
2021Retail sports betting is legalized but only at two tribal casinos about 35 miles north of Seattle. Once it launches (likely in the second half of 2021) any sports bets must be placed inside those two casinos.
2014 to presentPressure to legalize mobile sports betting, online casino gaming and fantasy sports grows, but authorities continue to resist.
2010A bid by the Poker Players Alliance to legalize online gambling fails in Supreme Court. •2013 – Interstate poker bill fails to pass inspection.
2006Internet gambling laws make it technically illegal to gamble online.
1997Card rooms away from tribal lands are legalized, offering non-banked peer to peer games including poker.
1990sIndian tribal casinos start construction and operation.
1988Federal Indian Gambling Regulation Act lays the foundation for tribal casinos.
1982State lottery is launched.
1973Charity gambling is allowed via the Gambling Commission (bingo, pull-tabs, raffles and casino evenings).
1933Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing is legalized.FAQs
No, it’s not possible to gamble online in Washington State. The exception to this rule is sports betting inside tribal casinos. Some tribal casinos have a sports betting website that can only be accessed via a mobile device if you’re on the property.
No, online casinos aren’t legal in Washington State as of 2024. Online sports betting is legal in the state if you’re inside a tribal casino, but real-money digital casinos aren’t available. What you can do, however, is play free slots and table games at social casinos.
No, retail casinos aren’t legal in Washington State. Despite this fact, there are more than 25 land-based casinos in the state, such as Snoqualmie Casino. These casinos are owned and operated by Native American Tribes.
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