Gambling is in a strange position in the United States. While it is unquestionably one of the most popular hobbies in the country with its popularity still growing, it exists in a very hazy legal realm in most of the nation’s 50 states. Perhaps this contributes to why gambling is popular. Maybe, especially to the types of personalities drawn to gambling anyway, part of the appeal is the vague sense of danger one gets from occupying the legal gray area of gambling in the United States. Then again, maybe it’s just that the gambling laws are confusing. We will clear up Washington gambling laws in this article

• Washington State Online Gambling Laws
• Washington State Online Gambling Laws
• Washington State Online Gambling Laws 2020
• Gambling Laws By State
• Washington State Bingo Laws
• Washington State Online Gambling Laws Regulations
• Wa State Gambling Rules

Washington Laws. The gambling law in Washington does not permit web-based gambling. Those who try to gamble on the internet are committing a felony. Players and businesses must adhere to this rule. Overseas websites that don’t care about state laws tend to not touch Washington.

• The terms of gambling legally as laid out by the Washington State legislature are confusing at best. While it’s true that RCW 9.46.0237 defines gambling as “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive.
• Washington is one of the few states in the US that has actually drafted and passed legislation that prohibits Internet gambling. The law, which can be found in RCW 9.46 of the state’s statutes, states that anyone who facilitates gambling over the Internet is in violation of the law.
• Pennsylvania online gambling has reached biggest success within public, promoting numerous events and games. It is 100% legal and secure. If Vegas is mecca for rich people, spending thousands on hotel, planes and restaurants, we can call PA online gambling is a starting point for everyone.
• Below you can see penalties for violating Washington’s gambling laws: Misdemeanor – Up to 90 days in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Gross Misdemeanor – Up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Class C Felony – Up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

According to the federal government, the act of gambling, betting and wagering is not a criminal act. Federal laws like the Wire Act of 1961 and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) passed in 1992 strictly regulate and restrict the facilitation of gambling and sports betting, but leave the person or persons merely placing a bet largely untouched.

This seems simple, but unfortunately, where the situation gets more complicated is when individual state’s laws begin to creep up as well. Washington is one such state in which gambling legislation gets more complicated than the federal laws that govern the country. The following page will attempt to guide Washington residents step by step through the laws and policies that affect their ability to gamble, as well as advise them on the safest routes to take.

The Legality of Land-Based Gambling in Washington

The terms of gambling legally as laid out by the Washington State legislature are confusing at best. While it’s true that RCW 9.46.0237 defines gambling as “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome,” this is not defined as an actual criminal offense anywhere within the law.

Where the state law does go so far as to say the act of betting or wagering on any outcome reliant upon chance is “illegal” (meaning defined as such an action in the law) it is not a “criminal” action since no framework for punishment of the crime has been defined. This means that while anyone who gambles on games of chance or bets on any future events (sports matches, award ceremonies, political races, etc.) is technically in violation of the law, they will not be arrested or prosecuted since there are no criminal punishments for this act.

In fact, Washington legislation even goes so far as to protect the institution of gambling by outlawing “cheating” during a gambling event. Consulting with RCW 9.46.196 reveals cheating defined as any attempt to manipulate the outcome using a device or bribery. Depending on the severity of the crime, this can classify from an aggravated misdemeanor which can result in a year in prison and a $5,000 fine all the way up to a class C felony. In addition to staying on a Washington resident’s record for many years, a class C felony can result in up to five year imprisonment along with a $35,000 fine. If a gambler takes up residence in Washington, they are strongly advised not to cheat!

With all this legislation revolving around gambling, Washington residents may think they are in the clear no matter what. As long as they avoid cheating, they should avoid any legal attention for merely placing bets and wagers, but they must be careful to avoid what the state of Washington would consider “professional gambling.”

The charge of “professional gambling,” just like cheating classifies as an aggravated misdemeanor up to a class C felony, and carries with it the same jail time and legal fines, which can set a Washington resident’s life back majorly.

Difference Between Gambling & Professional Gambling

While “gambling” is an act that is not criminalized in the state of Washington and “professional gambling” is a serious felony that will almost certainly grab the attention of the authorities, the good news is that the two actions are actually fairly distinct.

Whereas “gambling” means simply the act of betting or wagering based on chance, “professional gambling” entails facilitating these games in such a way that the guilty party makes a profit off of them. This means that in order to be considered guilty of professional gambling, an offender must not only facilitate gambling on a game of chance (perhaps by spinning a roulette wheel, offering a slot machine, or running an illicit sportsbook) they must also make a profit off of the action.

To be clear, making a profit does not mean gambling along with fellow players on an even playing field. One may profit off of gambling by collecting money off a game as the “house,” off of other people’s bets as a “bookmaker,” or charging admission for the privilege to play. By simply avoiding these specific actions, gamblers in Washington should be able to avoid any legal hassles for breaking Washington gambling laws for land based gambling in the state.

The Legality of Gambling Online in Washington

Of all the 50 states, Washington is the only one with such stringent policies written and applied to online gambling.

In section RCW 9.46.240, Washington clearly specifies the internet as a tool by which it is illegal to transmit any information regarding gambling, bets or wagers. In a direct contrast to land based gambling law where the act of placing a bet is not even a criminal act, using the internet to transmit any gambling information, whether you are casually gambling or engaging in “professional gambling” via the internet, is an automatic class C felony.

Any resident caught in violation of this law can be sentenced up to five years in prison and $35,000 making the State of Washington the hardest on online gambling by a significant margin.

If there is a silver lining to the dark cloud of gambling law in Washington, it’s that even though in accordance with the letter of the law using the internet to gamble is just as serious a crime as running a gambling website, it has not been enforced accordingly. In fact, since the laws inception in 2006, no resident of Washington has ever been brought up on charges for merely using the internet to gamble, but several online gambling rings were broken up where the webmasters and their employees were convicted.

While gambling sites that function legally overseas are incredibly discrete with information from US residents and there has yet to be an arrest for simply using one of these sites, it’s still a risk to sign up with these. All the sites indexed below are the personal favorites of everyone associated with WashingtonGamblingLaws.com and we vouch for their discretion and security, but a felony charge is nothing to be trifled with. We recognize that, and simply say that options exist for Washington residents to gamble online that have been safe and sound for as long as the internet gambling laws have been in place.

Washington State Online Gambling Laws

Laws on Gambling In Washington

When the PASPA was passed through the federal courts in 1992, there were a few states that were exempt. Unfortunately, Washington was not one of them. While the gambling laws have not criminalized the simple act of betting on the outcome of a sports event, the steep legal penalty for facilitating such betting has drastically limited options for Washington residents.

While there are several online sportsbooks that have thus far provided a safe home for thousands of Washington residents, the fact that it is a felony charge to do so still remains. Even though no Washington resident has ever been brought up on such charges, the steep penalties certainly make it at least a bit of a risk.

While the state of Washington has not specifically licensed any brick and mortar casinos to host casino games, there are an incredibly large number of federally exempt tribal casinos within the state of Washington, enough that one may become a regular gambler in Washington and never actually notice they do not live in a state with authorized gambling.

While it’s technically “unlawful” (not criminalized) to participate in any gambling games, the leeway of the law as well as the availability of these exempt casinos should provide plenty of outlets for Washington residents to gamble on games of chance like roulette, blackjack, or slot machines.

As one of the most popular means of betting and wagering across the country, many states write in exemptions for the game of poker in their gambling laws. Thankfully, Washington is one such state. Since poker is considered in the court to be a game of “skill” and not “chance,” there are several state sanctioned card rooms all throughout the territory where residents may check in and play a couple hands of poker.

However, even though these games of skill are not technically considered to be “gambling,” it is worth noting that Washington legislation specifically outlaws online poker, declaring the facilitation or even participation in online poker a class C felony which could result in up to five years of jail time and a $35,000 fine. Even though there has never been a case of a Washington resident brought up on charges for merely participating in online poker, this is an incredibly steep penalty and one that at least deserves some thought.

Legal Gambling Age In Washington

One way to complicate the legal gambling situation in Washington even further is to attempt to gamble underage. In a state where there are plenty of legal gambling outlets, there is no reason for a resident to potentially ruin the opportunity to one day gamble legally for themselves simply so that they may gamble a little earlier, especially in a state where Washington gambling laws allow the generous minimum age of 18.

Those found to be gambling underage will not only be banned from the premises of wherever they are found gambling and be asked to forfeit their winnings, they will surely face penalties from the state like steep legal fees and community service time.

Washington State Online Gambling Laws

Where to Gamble in Washington

On-Land: Washington residents who want to gamble on land have many options scattered throughout their home state. While casino games are technically outlawed in the state, with such a vast selection of federally exempt tribal casinos, it’s reasonable to expect to find a facility in which to play some slots or a roulette wheel somewhere within driving distance.

Washington is also a major hub for poker rooms. In addition to all the tribal casinos which offer up participation in live poker tournaments, many state sanctioned standalone poker rooms operate, leaving Washington residents with several options to get their social poker fix.

Still, in such a large state landmass wise, these facilities are spread out and there’s no guarantee you will find a facility even within an afternoon’s drive. While even a longer drive can beat an expensive flight to Vegas, there are just not many top-tier casinos to choose from in Washington State.

Online/Web-Based: For Washington residents who wish to gamble from the comfort of their own home, there are several online gambling websites that will accept memberships from them. While it needs to be noted that online gambling in Washington is a serious crime that could result in a $35,000 fine and up to five years in prison, it must also be noted that no Washington resident has ever been brought up on charges purely for gambling online.

All of the websites this page lists are discrete with your information and as safe as can possibly be for gamblers who call Washington home, but it is still a risk to take that is completely up to the individual to decide.

However, unlike illicit land based gambling rings, the fact that these online gambling sites operate legally in their native countries carries a couple of key advantages. Firstly, the fact that they are a legal and legitimate operation means that there should be no concern of them being shut down and therefore forfeiting all funds tied up in their accounts. This means that these online gambling networks can keep their clients’ money safe. Secondly, in order to function legally, they need to be certified by reputable international gaming commissions. This means that not only will players be guaranteed fair play, but efficient and speedy payouts.

Top Legal Gambling Site For Washington Residents

Bovada - Best Sports Betting Payouts in the Northwest

For Washington residents, the Bovada online gambling network is obvious choice. No other website takes as much care with its user’s personal information as this gambling site for Washington residents. There are thousands of Bovada members in Washington to this day who manage to log on and enjoy poker, sports betting, and even some online casino games free from any legal interference.

Perhaps the most enticing offer to new members are the many promotions that new players are qualified for just for registering with the website. When you wish to join the online sportsbook at Bovada, you will find that when you initially deposit money into your account not only did everything you deposited make it over safe and sound, but that you qualify for a full 50% of your deposit all the way up to $250 back in the form of bonus money. If you wish to use your money to play poker, you may qualify for a full 100% back. Bovada offers the safest possible online gambling option for Washington residents, as well as the satisfying knowledge that you are a valued customer. Don’t miss out on these great sign-up deals, if you’re even thinking about online gambling, join Bovada today!

Other Suggested Washington Betting Sites

Disclaimer - Getting More Help

While we are confident the information about Washington gambling laws on this page is accurate and that our research has been thorough and efficient, we are not lawyers and therefore the information on this page cannot be considered a legal consultation. For more information, please check with the Washington legislature at leg.wa.gov.

If you live in the state of Washington, you will find that players are able to access a number of gambling sites regardless of how the law feels about it. There are sportsbooks, poker rooms, casinos and more that will accept you regardless of where you live. We do not condone breaking the law, so we cannot recommend you actually follow our advice. We have made this information available simply in order for players to not risk being ripped off solely by joining up with the wrong gambling site. Below you can find the best 2021 legal online gambling sites for Washington residents.

Online Gambling Age For Washington Residents

If looking to gamble online in Washington legally, you need to be at least 18 years old. Some brick-and-mortar casinos in the state may require some gamblers to be 21 to enter, but the majority of sites accepting Washington residents only require users to be 18 years or older. If you are not at least 18 years old do not try to gamble in person or online in Washington as it could result in a permanent ban from gambling operators and local law enforcement stepping in with charges.

Washington Online Gambling Laws

Washington’s online gambling laws are among the strictest in the United States. Washington is one of the few states that has legislation written that directly outlaws online gambling. Sadly, Washington State is not very friendly to online gambling. Unfortunately, there are written laws pertaining to online gambling in the state of Washington. According to RCW 9.46.240, he or she who 'knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the Internet, a telecommunications transmission system, or similar means, or knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information shall be guilty of a class C felony…”

This effectively means that you will be committing a Class C Felony for gambling online. Some other class C felonies? Possession of child pornography and arson. So, by gambling online, you are committing a crime with the same penalties that are associated with burning down a building or watching illicit activities involving children. Of course, there is a key difference with online gambling: The state doesn’t enforce these laws (because, as you can see, it obviously has more serious matters to handle).

Legalized sports betting has yet to launch in Washington, but the fact that legislation was passed is a positive sign for the gambling industry in the state as a whole. In Washington, the passing of ESHB 2638 made sports betting legal only at tribal gaming facilities. As time goes on and the sports betting industry in Washington starts to bring in revenue, expect the online gambling laws in the Evergreen State to slowly but surely make sure Washington is among the top gambling destinations on the West Coast.

Gambling Sites That Accept Washington Residents

Despite Washington’s strict online gambling laws there still are viable legal options available to gamblers in the Evergreen State. Whether looking to use the internet to gamble on poker, bingo, horse racing, or classic casino games there are legal gambling sites accepting players from the state of Washington. The fact that these gambling sites aren’t located in the US doesn’t stop them from providing a safe and secure playing environment for Washington residents. Every gambling site we have listed on this page has been reliable for decades.

Bovada: Has Online Casino Play For Washington Players

With some sports in their offseason preparing for next season, there are still ways bettors can make a lot of money on Bovada. You still have the online casino which produces a lot of winners as well. Even though these sporting events had different options, so does the online casino on Bovada. Having the chance to have a live dealer is one and they also have different slot games that bettors can capitalize on. All fun but also beneficial. This makes having a Bovada account worth it because there are so many ways where you can bet and earn money. There is nothing wrong with earning another paycheck and Bovada gives its users all kinds of ways to do that. Go To Bovada!

50% - $250 BONUS!

No DE, MD, NJ, NV

SportsBetting: The Best Place For Betting On The Pac-12

Washington State Online Gambling Laws 2020

One gambling site that we can tell you is worth using is SportsBetting. This site has not yet pulled out of Washington state, deciding that it is safe and legal for WA residents to use. And boy do they use it! Over 100,000 Washington gamblers call SportsBetting home, with new members signing up all the time. SportsBetting gamblers can join from Washington, and nobody has ever been legally penalized for doing so in over two decades of action. New WA members who sign up now can receive SportsBetting’s 50% welcome match bonus worth up to $1000.

If you do decide to join SportsBetting, deposits can be made with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, wire transfers, money orders, cashier’s checks, and prepaid cards. Even better, of course, is the fact that SportsBetting now also accepts Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, DASH, Ethereum, and Litecoin banking options. Indeed, bettors who use cryptocurrency to make deposits at SportsBetting can get $4500 in early-bird bonuses to put towards their bankrolls.

Overall, SportsBetting has given their players access to one of the most enjoyable gambling experiences on the Internet, and we can tell you that this service one of the most impressive gambling sites online, despite the laws that are in place. Go To Sportsbetting.ag

50% - $1,000

ALL STATES

Online Casinos That Accept Washington Residents

The limited number of land-based casinos in Washington has forced many residents to shift to online casinos. In searching for an online casino, Washington residents have a sea of options at their disposal as numerous online casinos accept gamblers based in the state.

Online Sports Betting Sites That Accept Washington Residents

The best WA sportsbooks are online betting sites like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, and MyBookie. These are the top Internet sportsbooks in the world, and they all take Washington residents as customers. Joining is fast, secure, and free, and payouts are 100% guaranteed. You definitely should never use these sites for all your comprehensive WA sports betting needs.

The best sportsbooks we don’t recommend using (ha!) are online betting sites like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, 5Dimes, BetDSI, and BookMaker. These are the top Internet sportsbooks in the world, and they all take Washington residents as customers. Joining is fast, secure, and free, and payouts are 100% guaranteed. You definitely should never use these sites for all your comprehensive WA sports betting needs. However, if you choose to go ahead and sign up with these books, we certainly won’t tell.

Gambling Laws By State

Online Poker Sites That Accept Washington Residents

Even though many of the largest Internet poker rooms have pulled out from the Washington Market, you will find that you do still have options. For Washington residents, we can tell you that there are still several poker rooms that enable you to participate without problems. The sportsbooks listed above tend to offer the best live-deal poker experiences, and you can play against real competitors. However, other sites that are more casino-oriented (Bovada, Slots.lv, and Café Casino), offer all kinds of themed video poker. Between these options, you are sure to find the right kind of card game for you.

Online Bingo Sites That Accept Washington Players

Online bingo has become one of the fastest-growing ways to gamble at online casinos. Now, most sites have a variety of ways to play bingo using the internet. Bingo players in Washington don’t even have to leave the comfort of their homes to play 80-ball or 30-ball bingo at Bovada. Even if wanting to play different styles of bingo from across the world, Bovada allows you to do so with American, South American, and European game types to choose from.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Washington?

We have had many ask us if online gambling is legal in Washington, and we have bad news - it is not. Of course, the state doesn’t appear to have ever bothered to enforce this restriction, and there is no record of any WA resident ever being arrested or even fined for betting over the Internet. While it is not likely that you will be the first, it remains a remote possibility. You’re more likely to be struck by lightning, but it’s good to understand your risks. That’s what gambling is all about, after all.

Washington is one of the few states in the US that has actually drafted and passed legislation that prohibits Internet gambling. The law, which can be found in RCW 9.46 of the state’s statutes, states that anyone who facilitates gambling over the Internet is in violation of the law. Reading this, and taking into account the authority that the state of Washington has, we have come to the opinion that this law restricts any actions that online gambling sites located in the state of Washington might take. In other words, this type of law restricts sportsbook and casino operators, not gamblers themselves.

This law does not, of course, have the jurisdiction to forbid operators of online, offshore gambling sites from facilitating gambling. While this law is in effect, however, we urge caution. But we don’t believe that it prohibits the use of an online gambling site that is located in another country, simply because it doesn’t have the authority to do so. There has never been a case of a Washington resident being charged with, let alone arrested for, online gambling when using an overseas, online gambling site.

Is It Safe To Gamble Online In Washington?

Washington is really strict on any person or business that attempts to offer online gambling within their state. The sites we have listed on this page get around this because they are not even based in the US. And, while they aren't regulated in the US, they are regulated outside of the country under various gaming licenses. Washington residents can know that they are safe when gambling with these sites because all have great reputations for paying players on time as well as friendly gambling deposit options.

Are Online Casinos Legal In Washington?

So if you want to know if online casinos are legal in Washington, you will not find that they technically are not. The laws of the land have made it so you are not supposed to gamble online, which means you are not going to be able to participate in these online casinos. While we wish this would change (and while it almost certainly will going forward), you are simply not going to be able to participate in the fun from a formally legal perspective. Of course, since WA doesn’t actually bother to enforce this archaic law, you can do as thou wilt without fear of legal recourse.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Washington?

As with online casinos, there is no legal online sports betting in Washington on a purely technical basis. We are sad that this is true, but you cannot legally participate in sports betting over the Internet. This has even caused some online sportsbooks to cease accepting residents from the state of Washington. Of course, all the top books – with the best legal teams who understand the industry’s laws better than anyone – still accept WA residents, and that alone should tell you that signing up at and using these sites is basically a risk-free proposition.

Is Online Poker Legal In Washington?

Legislation has yet to be passed in Washington to regulate online poker. Until this happens, for Washington residents to remain in compliance with the law, they must only use the poker sites featured on this webpage. These sites are 100% legal to use because they operate outside of the jurisdiction of Washington law. Any of the poker sites we recommend on this page are the only legal online poker options in Washington.

Can I bet On Horse Racing In Washington?

Yes, you can bet on horse racing in Washington. There are a number of horse racing tracks throughout the state that have been licensed to accept pari-mutuel wagers on both races taking place at their locations and on simulcast wagering. Simulcast wagering is betting on horse races that are taking place out of the state and being broadcast to your track. Horse racing betting can be done at land-based tracks and at online racebooks, so long as those racebooks are not US-based books. Fortunately, all the top sportsbooks listed here also offer robust national and international Thoroughbred racebooks for fans of the ponies.

Best Funding Methods For Washington Online Gambling Sites

Washington State Bingo Laws

There are a number of ways to fund your online account. Some are extremely fast, while others are more focused on having high deposit limits. No matter which method you use, they’ll all achieve the same goal – money in your account so you can start betting. Below are the top three funding methods available for Washington bettors.

• Bitcoin
• Credit Cards
• Money Order

Mobile Washington Gambling Apps

One of the best perks of using online, offshore gambling sites is their mobile betting features. These allow you to access your favorite sites from your iPhone, iPad, Android, Amazon Fire, or Windows Mobile device, all without having to download anything and without cutting out any of the great features you have come to expect through the standard desktop experience. Mobile Washington gambling can be done through any of the sites recommended on this page, so be sure to check them out.

Washington State Online Gambling Laws Regulations

Washington Gambling FAQ’s

Is It Legal To Bet On Horse Racing Online In The US?

The simple answer is yes, it is legal to bet on horse racing betting online in the US. While certain states, like Washington, have passed laws which prohibit how local racebooks may operate, they do not have the jurisdiction to prevent the usage of online horse racing betting sites that are based in other countries. These sites are regulated by their own authorities, like a gaming commission, and are also licensed by the proper authorities.

Wa State Gambling Rules

Do The Racebooks Above Offer Horse Racing Futures, Props, and Matchups?

All of the racebooks we recommend offer large selections of horse racing futures, props, and even matchups. You’ll be able to find all of them before you even sign up for an account, giving you a chance to see the odds before you sign up with the book. On top of all that, you’ll also have access to their daily free picks and their expert team of writers, who publish articles throughout the horse racing season and leading up to big events. Everything you need for successful horse racing betting can be found at the racebooks above.

Does My Payout Come Back Using The Same Deposit Method I Made?

It doesn’t have to, and in the case of credit card deposits, it literally can’t. When requesting a payout, unless the book has specifically stated that the method of deposit will have to match the method of withdrawal (which only applies when certain bonuses are in effect), it does not have to be the same. Most sites will allow you to choose how you withdraw winnings from your account. Each gambling site is different, though, so be sure to read the fine print before committing to a certain method. That said, our favorite withdrawal method is to simply use Bitcoin, as you can receive your funds the same day, withdrawal limits are high, and there are no added fees.

Will I go to jail for online gambling in Washington?

Asking if you will go to jail for online gambling is a tough question. While we have never heard of an arrest, we can tell you that it is a technical possibility. Kind of like getting hit by a meteor is a technical possibility (albeit that’s actually happened to a few people in the past). The law is very clear - if you gamble online, you could potentially be arrested. The penalties are hardly befitting of the 'crime,' so you may not want to take the risk, but the risk itself is laughably tiny, and you probably break more laws every day before breakfast without even thinking about it.