Online Sports Betting in Washington State: No Legal WA Sportsbook Sites
Regulation of sports betting in Washington state may be rigid, but it’s meant to give motivated operators a fair crack of the whip. After HB 2638 came into effect in 2020, retail betting came to the scene under the condition that it stays limited to the boundaries of a Compact III casino. Here’s what else we know.
- This Site Contains:
- Analysis based on WA State Gambling Commission guidelines
- A history of gambling in Washington
- Blacklisted sportsbooks in Washington
We can’t say the state of Washington takes exception to professional gambling. The mere act of aiding any of the aspects that term stands for is considered a misdemeanor. The only remedy for the modern-day gambler is the 29 Class III tribal casinos scattered about the state.
We could harp on all the fine details about what is considered gambling, but we think we all get the picture. When it comes to why state legislators don’t take to the idea of commercial gambling, we can’t say anything for sure. What we can say is that we didn’t find any sites for online sports betting in Washington.
The Legal Status of Online Sports Betting in Washington
Not just online sports betting in Washington, but all online gambling is illegal in the state. This goes back to the conservativism surrounding some of the WA policies. Thankfully, Native American casinos are recognized as property that is outside state law jurisdiction. And now, most of them have a partnership with a sports betting operator.
What Gambling is Legal Online in Washington?
If you are passionate about WA sports betting, you’ve got to understand that, for the time being, you will need to visit one of the 29 licensed premises when you wager. There’s no workaround, just visit a tribal casino if you’ve made up your mind to bet on sports. You might end up playing casino games too – which is fine at licensed tribal casinos in Washington state.
Washington State’s Best Land-Based Casinos & Sportsbooks
We can’t promise you that you will find a good Washington sportsbook within walking distance, but at least you have options! Keep your eyes on the 29 tribal casinos in the state with a Class III gaming compact. They are the only ones that are allowed to bring the brick-and-mortar gambling experience to players from the state.
Daily Fantasy Sports WA
Under the current definition of online gambling, daily fantasy sports doesn’t qualify as a legal activity in Washington. We eagerly await the next Washington state sports betting update with hopes that daily fantasy sports will become legal. For the time being, it doesn’t seem likely that the state legislature will reconsider.
Horse Racing in Washington
There are two racetracks where you can both watch races and engage in horse race betting – Emerald Downs in Auburn and Sun Downs in Kennewick. Feel free to shop around at some of the approved sportsbooks to see what they have to offer to horse racing fans. Keep in mind that we are only talking about in-person betting.
Poker Gambling Opportunities in Washington
Poker is one of the exceptions to the illegal gambling rule. You can find poker clubs and poker rooms in some tribal casinos if you know where to look. The line that playing poker in Washington doesn’t cross is being fully dependent on chance. The element of skill incorporated into the game plays into the wants of poker fans.
| Betting Type | Legal | Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|
| 🏈 Online Sports Betting | No | None |
| 🎰 Online Casinos | No | None |
| ⚾ Daily Fantasy Sports | No | None |
| 🏢 Land-Based Casinos | Yes | Washington State Gambling Commission |
| 🏨 Land-Based Sportsbooks | Yes | Washington State Gambling Commission |
| 🃏 Poker Rooms | Yes | Washington State Gambling Commission |
| 🏇 Racetrack Betting | Yes | Washington State Gambling Commission |
| 🎫 State-Sponsored Lottery | Yes | Lottery Commission |
Can You Bet at Offshore Bookmakers from Washington?
There certainly is a possibility to find sports betting operators that serve WA residents illicitly for their own benefit. Those are unlicensed, so taking the bite is unwise, to say the least. Online sports betting in Washington is banned for a reason. Be sure to acquaint yourself with the Washington State Gambling Commission guidelines if you feel uncertain.
WA Sports Betting Pending Legislation
As it stands, sports betting in Washington state has not gone mainstream. It is available only in the confines of Class III casinos. The chances look slim this will change in the foreseeable future if we base our estimation on the facts. And the facts are there are no discussions about legalizing online sports betting or permitting independent shops to open up.
The only other piece of legislation having anything to do with sports betting is the Gambling Act of 1973. When passed, it authorized 100-square sports bool boards. Neither had the Act or any other bill authorized daily fantasy sports, bracket pools, or office sports pools. Those remain illegal in the state.
Legalization of WA Gambling in the Past
Legislative changes don’t happen overnight. They are a slow-moving process during which a small stumbling block can turn everything on its head. If we lean on history to give us an example, we could point out the years 1933 and 1973 in which pari-mutuel horse race betting and charitable gambling were legalized. If online bookies in Washington is ever to be legalized, it will have to go through the same paperwork-filled process.
On January 16, 2020, House Bill 2638 was first introduced by Rep. Strom Peterson. The goal was to afford tribal casinos the right to house a sports betting facility and conduct bookmaking activities adhering to the terms of a tribal-state gaming compact.
After months of trial and error, the last of many amendments passed 34 to 15 in the Senate and 83 to 14 in the House, respectively, on March 5, 2020, and March 7, 2020. When it comes to WA sports betting online, we are yet to see a reasonable bill that could stand a chance against the opposition.
Washington Gambling Law as It Stands
We don’t have information from a reputable source that an amendment to the online gambling law is in the works. As we pointed out earlier, it will be better to stick to what’s already available in the tribal casinos in the state. You can actually bet on your mobile device at a Washington sportsbook, but you have to be inside a licensed facility, which includes any one of the 29 tribal casinos with a Class III gaming compact.
- Increased tax revenue
- More jobs in Washington
- Safer betting environment
- Potential regulatory issues
- Potential for increases in gambling addiction
- Won’t eliminate scam betting sites
Since there’s no specific bill aiming to legalize online sports betting, we can only discuss House Bill 2638, which was proposed by Rep. Strom Peterson. After a series of amendments, the first commercial sportsbooks – situated inside licensed tribal casinos – started accepting clients. New jobs were created, and tribal casinos were made more attractive to the general public.
Will the Outlook on Online Betting Change?
While online sports betting in Washington state is a far cry from what the same market looks like in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, there are some things we can be optimistic about. Firstly, new states constantly wake up to the opportunity online bookies brings to the table, and second – Native American gambling remains a safe place for online betting fans.
Prospects for Legal Online Sports Betting in Washington State
The Washington State Gambling Commission is the only accredited establishment devoted to gambling regulation and licensing. If online sports betting in Washington is ever to go live, it will operate under the wing of the Commission. You can get a sense of what it will be like if you go to a Class III casino and check out its online platform for sports betting.
Washington state does not collect a gambling tax. However, RCW 9.46.110 allows individual cities, countries, and other jurisdictions to collect gambling taxes, but not more than the already set by the law limitations. The same rule is in work for licensees and players.
On top of that, you should do what’s required of you to report your winnings to the IRS. The federal government taxes all kinds of gambling prizes and winnings from gambling at the rates ordinary income is taxed. If you have won a taxable amount on sports betting, your operator will send you Form W-2G, which you must fill out and send back.
Plans for Legalization of Online Sports Betting in Washington State
Online or In-Person Betting?
At the same time, in-person betting hasn’t changed much in the last decade. Maybe a few payment methods were added, but that’s about it. If you want to stay on the cutting edge of gambling technology, online sports betting sites are the place to be. This is just an informed opinion backed by many years of betting.
Since the differences come down to whether or not you will pull out your mobile device to bet, advocating for either type of betting will be more of a personal opinion. In any case, now that you know what the situation is and you know the facts, you can go to a licensed tribal casino prepared.
For now, the main difference is that online betting as we know it isn’t legal, while traditional in-person sports wagering is performed the same way. We’ll keep waiting for the Washington state sports betting update that will make it legal to bet at online sportsbooks from anywhere within the state. If such an update comes up, we will inform you promptly.
This is a big feather in the cap for online betting, putting it way ahead of the traditional type of wagering on sports. It really is too bad you can’t take advantage of this technology from your home or any non-specialized venue. There is, however, one more thing that plays a role in deciding what is the best choice for a bettor as an individual.
You are doing the right thing if your personal preference weighs in every now and then. There is entertainment value in this endeavor, so why not go with your gut every so often? If you are spending hours on end grinding, small things like the interface, design, even the color scheme become important.
Those are small details most players are used to overlooking. There are, however, punters who genuinely care about every little aspect of their user experience. You just have to find an answer to the question, which type are you? Hopefully, our review was inclusive enough to answer as many questions for you as possible.
Washington State’s History of Sports Gambling
You can learn more about the activities regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission and the timeline of the important gambling-related events in the history of Washington state. We’ve summarized them in a few highlights you can see in the table below.
In may 2018, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 was officially found unconstitutional. What ensued was a resurgence of legal sports betting in some states. However, the stance on online sports betting sites in some states remained unabated. On the grounds of the 2018 decision, some state officials continue to pursue the legalization of sports betting in Washington state.
Sports Betting Licensing Body in Washington State
The Washington State Gambling Commission provides the oversight and regulation needed for the already limited gambling industry in the state. Though severely restricted, online sports betting in Washington still functions and is licensable. The Washington State Gambling Commission participates in all these aspects of it.
In and of itself, licensing requires inspection and regulation, not to mention it goes hand in hand with law enforcement. All of these are things the Washington State Gambling Commission is responsible for in one way or another. To go together with that, you have the collection of gambling taxes.
While the state doesn’t collect gambling tax, the Commission – which represents the state – offers help to the cities having a hard time collecting gambling tax on a local level. That is one more thing the Commission needs resources and coordination for.
The Commission holds all licensees up to a high standard in order to ensure not only smooth operation but also the wellbeing of gamblers. WA sports betting is best enjoyed when your service provider is licensed and adheres to state law. This also keeps problems and legal complications at arm’s length.
Let the takeaway from our extensive overview be that you shouldn’t under any circumstances bet with black market sportsbooks. For one, you are not entitled to a legal dispute procedure if anything goes wrong. What’s more, you can never be certain of how fair the odds or the gambling games are.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006 says that having dealings with illegal betting operators is a crime. But even if we leave that aside, you are going to do more harm than good to yourself being involved with online sports betting Washington with an organization that runs its business outside the law.
Black-market Operators in Washington State You Should Avoid
There’s not much else to be said about illegal online betting sites in Washington once we process the fact they operate without legal permission. This puts them in a wholly different category than any other. Namely, this puts them in a group of sites you don’t want to have anything to do with.
So why is it dangerous to bypass the law and gamble on unauthorized websites? As we mentioned already, you have no legal protection. Anything and everything you do or possess in that virtual space could be manipulated, abused, and even marketed to a third party.
We are talking about the increasing cases of identity theft and fraud. Such websites that have no legal obligation to abide by the rules can be involved in these or even worse activities. The point is they failed the simplest of tests, which is to show compliance with the law. And that means the operators of non-licensed bookmakers cannot be trusted.
With a view of helping you not make a wrong move, we did our research and listed the betting operators you shouldn’t register at. Even if you can somehow access one of these websites or have seen an internet ad thereof, do not register. Until they have the license to operate, they cannot be considered safe.
- ⛔️ 1XBet
- ⛔️ Bovada
- ⛔️ BetOnline
- ⛔️ BetDSI
- ⛔️ SportsBetting.ag
- ⛔️ CarbonGaming.ag
- ⛔️ MyBookie
- ⛔️ BetUS
- ⛔️ Xbet
- ⛔️ 22bet
- ⛔️ 5Dimes
Washington Betting Sites Remain Out of Reach
So far, we’ve explained why traditional online sports betting in Washington state is illegal. Some would say this is not the most progressive state in the US, and that has been the problem hampering all new ideas. Whatever it may be, the fact of the matter is that legislator did not find any of the propositions for a gambling bill reasonable.
We will be happy to let you know when this changes. Please keep in mind, though, that it will take a complete U turn for something of the epic proportions of the New Jersey gambling industry to take place in Washington state. Until then, we hope you stay on the site to gain even more insight into the matter.
We stay dedicated to informing you about the latest on online sports betting in Washington. You may think our website came a bit early to the party, but it may be quite the opposite – no one knows for sure. Since it’s always a good idea to answer direct questions, we asked the most popular questions in this field on your behalf and answered them in short.
Frequently Asked Questions
The opportunities for online sports betting Washington state can offer may be inexistent right now but people do ask questions and we are eager to answer some of them. To combat that, we gathered the six most frequently asked questions on the subject and answered them. Fill in the blanks with the FAQ below!