• Online Gambling In Washington State
• Washington State Online Gambling Law

The online casino industry is a rapidly growing one and is a great alternative to heading to land-based casinos in the state. You can enjoy the excrement and challenges of casino games at websites, and here we provide information about where to go to get the best experience and the most trusted service. Although Washington does not hold any regulated online sports betting, online sports betting is still very much legal in the Evergreen State. These online sportsbooks are located overseas, meaning they are not restricted by US legislation. Therefore all residents and tourists of legal age can partake in online sports betting.

I’m a poker player. There was a time when you would have to whisper that fact in hushed tones and make sure you watched who you were talking to. That was before the World Series of Poker was televised nationwide on ESPN, and people generally accepted the fact that there is skill involved in the game. That was before there were personal computers in every pocket and very smart people would try and solve the game with algorithms.

RELATED: Ron’s life lessons learned from poker

Did you realize that in the state of Washington it is a Class C Felony to play a hand of poker online for real money? Yes, it is a felony to place an online wager in Washington!

Just to give you some context, here is the explanation of misdemeanors from the Washington State Courts webpage: “Examples of gross misdemeanors are theft of property and driving while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Among the many types of misdemeanors are disorderly conduct and prostitution.”

You got that right. A DUI and prostitution are misdemeanors, while placing a wager online is a felony.

Here’s the thing though, people like to gamble. It’s fun, and it can add a little excitement to a dull day. So I was surprised to read on Geekwire that Muckleshoot Casino is rolling out a new app that has a clever work around this draconian online wagering law.

Here’s how it’s going to work starting in the fall. You download their app to your phone, then physically go to the casino and purchase games with cash money. Then you can leave the casino and play the games anywhere virtually. If you win, you’re winning real money that you collect the next time you’re at the casino.

These won’t be games like poker or roulette, but more like bingo and other games where you’re not playing against the house.

I’m tempted to go on a diatribe on how stupid the state of Washington is for criminalizing an online behavior that is perfectly legal in real life. Instead, I’m going to view this as a positive step.

Hopefully, this will end up in court and the current laws will be thrown out.

Society is slowly losing its judgments about archaic prohibitions from a bygone era. Attitudes are becoming more liberal around the idea of placing a bet for entertainment. Look no further than the recent Supreme Court decision on sports wagering.

Washington state needs to wake up and realize this is a perfectly acceptable tax revenue stream that is no different than ordering your groceries online instead of going to the brick and mortar store. If people want to use their entertainment budget to play a game, isn’t that their business?

Kudos to Muckleshoot for moving this issue forward. Now let’s take the next logical step and allow responsible adults to do online all the things they can legally do in a casino.

You can hear “What are we talking about here?” everyday at 4:45 p.m. on 97.3 FM.

Washington is a pro gambling state with lots to offer. There is a good mix of tribal and private commercial casinos providing all the usual table games and gaming machines. In addition, card rooms for table game players and poker players are legal.

Washington Online Gambling

Unfortunately, Washington is extremely clear in its stance on gambling online. Many US States remain vague in their legality of online casino activities whilst Washington is clearly opposed.

Article II Section 24 states that all gambling activities are considered illegal unless they have been specifically approved. Online casino activity has not been specifically approved and therefore is considered illegal.

Online Gambling In Washington State

In fact, in 2006, the state raised the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony which can result in jail time of up to five years and/or a $5,000 fine.

In 2010 the Poker Players Alliance challenged the law in the Supreme Court, stating that it was unconstitutional. The State won unanimously with a vote of nine to zero.

Therefore Washington remains one of the strictest US States in prohibition of gambling online.

Having said this, there have been no reported instances of the law being enforced and therefore you will find that many licensed offshore online casinos will accept Washington residents. (You could say playing online casinos is the equivalent of jaywalking).

Choosing to play at an offshore casino is really easy, we recommend the following reputable brands:

Washington State Online Gambling Law

Best 5 Washington Casinos Online

Gambling Locally

The Evergreen state offers a wide range of gambling options which can be broadly split into: tribal casinos, state lottery, card rooms, pull tabs, horse racing and bingo.

The largest revenue generator for the state is derived from tribal casinos Tribal casinos are governed by the Federal compact of the Indian Government Regulatory Act (IGRA) that came in effect in 1988. Tribal casinos are permitted to offer the widest of gaming in the state, compared to other gambling venues. The games on offer at tribal casinos include:

• Blackjack – $500 max.
• Baccarat – $500 max.
• Pai Gow – $500 max.
• Craps
• Roulette
• Slots (*)
• Keno
• Bingo
• Pull tabs
• Horse racing
• Poker