Washington Online Gambling
Washington online gambling options are minimal. State law does not merely leave most forms of online gambling unregulated but makes them explicitly illegal.
Harsh laws target players and operators alike, making Washington a highly undesirable market for operators. However, prediction markets serve as a close alternative to online sports betting because they are regulated at the federal level and not subject to state law.
Read on for a detailed overview of what’s legal in Washington, where to gamble online legally, and what to expect as a player in one of the nation’s most restrictive gaming environments.
Legal Washington Gambling Sites
18+ and present in WA. When Gambling Becomes a Problem, There’s Hope. Help Starts Here. (800) 547-6133.
Washington Online Gambling Overview
| Type of Gambling (minimum age) | Legal Status | Notes |
| Online Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | Prohibited under RCW 9.46.240 as a class C felony |
| Sweepstakes Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | WSGC deems them illegal gambling despite “no purchase necessary” model |
| Online Poker (n/a) | Illegal | Classified as gambling by computer; class C felony under RCW 9.46.240 |
| Online Sports Betting (21+) | Legal (Tribal Land Only) | Authorized under RCW 9.46.0368; limited to apps on tribal land; statewide online betting prohibited |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (n/a) | Illegal | The WSGC considers Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) an unauthorized form of gambling. |
| Fantasy Pick’em Contests (n/a) | Illegal | Treated the same as traditional DFS and prohibited under state gambling law. |
| Online Lottery Sales (n/a) | Illegal | Washington Lottery does not offer online sales. Lottery courier apps are unavailable. |
| Online Horse Racing (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Advance deposit wagering is authorized under RCW 67.16.260 and regulated by the Washington Horse Racing Commission. |
Washington Online Casinos
Online casinos are illegal in Washington.
State law makes it a Class C felony to knowingly transmit or receive “gambling information by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the internet, a telecommunications system, or similar means…”
Furthermore, Washington online gambling laws do not differentiate between operators and players. Although the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) does not proactively target players, they could theoretically face felony charges if caught patronizing illegal US online casinos.
Most states prohibit online casinos under general anti-gambling statutes, but Washington passed legislation in 2006 (SSB 6613) to amend existing law specifically to criminalize online gambling.
Washington’s blanket ban means you cannot legally play real-money slots, blackjack, or any other casino-style game online. The WSGC warns players that it is illegal to gamble online and encourages them to report websites promoting online gambling to the authorities.
Will Washington Legalize Online Casinos?
Washington is unlikely to legalize online casinos anytime soon.
There is no legislative momentum to legalize online casinos in Washington, and lawmakers have shown no interest in revisiting the state’s gambling laws. Given Washington’s emphasis on protecting tribal casino exclusivity, the odds are low that any significant number of lawmakers would support an effort to legalize online casinos.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Washington
Online sweepstakes casinos are illegal in Washington.
Unlike most states, Washington explicitly forbids the business model employed by sweepstakes casinos like Hello Millions, High 5 Casino, and WOW Vegas Online.
Sweepstakes casinos skirt the legal definition of “gambling” in many states by providing ways for players to participate with “no purchase necessary.” However, the WSGC makes it clear that it considers online sweepstakes casinos to be illegal gambling.
An official “Sweepstakes FAQ” on the WSGC website states that sweepstakes casinos combine elements of two legal activities (raffles and promotional contests of chance) to create a third type of activity that constitutes illegal online gambling in Washington.
Unsurprisingly, all major sweepstakes casino brands have exited the Washington market.
For example, VGW, the company behind Chumba Casino and Global Poker, stopped accepting Washington customers as early as 2018 due to the hostile legal environment.
Washington Online Poker
Online poker is illegal in Washington.
Washington is notoriously hostile territory for online poker. It is the only state in the Union that unambiguously classifies the act of playing online poker as a felony.
Under RCW 9.46.240, anyone who “knowing transfers or receives gambling information” by any means “shall be guilty of a Class C felony,” punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Local authorities have never targeted an individual for playing online poker, but the statute’s mere existence demonstrates the degree to which Washington is unfriendly toward players and operators alike.
Washington’s strict interpretation of the word “gambling” includes poker, and arguments that poker is a game of skill have been unsuccessful in court.
A 2018 federal court case highlights how far Washington’s definition of illegal online gambling extends:
In Kater v. Churchill Downs Inc., the Ninth Circuit determined that even free-to-play social casino games constituted illegal gambling because players had the option to purchase additional virtual chips if they ever ran out. The chips were not redeemable for prizes of any type, but the fact that players could buy more chips made them a “thing of value” under Washington law.
After that ruling, several play-money poker sites blocked Washington users to avoid legal issues.
Washington Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is legal but restricted to the physical premises of tribal casinos in Washington.
Although state law explicitly authorizes “online sports betting,” full-fledged online wagering remains prohibited. The only way to place wagers “online” is through authorized apps when physically present on casino property.
Washington legalized online sports betting in 2020 via HB 2638. However, the law did not create an open, statewide sports betting market. Instead, HB 2638 authorized sports wagering exclusively as a Class III tribal gaming activity, offered only by tribes that have successfully amended their gaming compacts with the state.
Several major online sportsbook brands, including FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbook, are active in Washington but do not offer statewide mobile betting.
In summary, here’s what bettors need to know:
- Minimum age: Bettors must be 21+ to bet on sports in Washington.
- Location requirement: All wagers, whether placed at a retail counter or through a mobile app, must be made while physically located on the premises of a licensed tribal casino.
- College wagering: State law prohibits Washington online sportsbooks from accepting wagers on games involving local college teams.
Washington Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in Washington.
The WSGC has consistently maintained that paid-entry daily fantasy sports contests contain a sufficient element of chance to meet the state’s definition of “gambling.”
Since the state has never affirmatively authorized daily fantasy sports, the WSGC holds that DFS contests constitute illegal online gambling.
The WGCS’s position stands in contrast to the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), which includes a specific carve-out exempting certain fantasy sports contests from its definition of an unlawful internet wager.
However, the UIGEA explicitly states that it does not alter or preempt any state law, meaning Washington’s stricter prohibition takes precedence.
Due to the clear and unwavering stance of state regulators, all major DFS operators, including DraftKings and FanDuel, ceased offering paid contests to Washington residents years ago and do not currently serve the state’s market for this product.
Past legislative efforts to change this legal status have failed. Bills that sought to classify DFS as a game of skill and therefore exempt it from gambling laws, such as SB 5169 in 2017 and 2018, did not advance. There is currently no active legislative movement to authorize DFS, leaving it firmly in the category of illegal gambling.
Fantasy Pick’em Contests in Washington
Fantasy pick’em contests are illegal in Washington.
The WSGC categorizes fantasy pick’em contests (where players predict whether athletes will exceed their projected stat totals) the same as other types of DFS games: illegal online gambling.
Because they involve risking an entry fee (consideration) for a chance to win a prize based on the performance of athletes in sporting events, they fall under the state’s broad definition of gambling.
That means fantasy pick’em contests are subject to the same legal prohibitions and Class C felony penalties that apply to all other forms of unauthorized online gambling in Washington.
As a result, major fantasy pick’em operators like PrizePicks and ParlayPlay do not accept customers from Washington.
Washington Online Lottery Sales
Online lottery sales are illegal in Washington.
State law prohibits the Washington Lottery from selling lottery tickets or offering instant win games online. Players may only buy Washington Lottery tickets in person at authorized retailers.
Washington’s prohibition of online lottery tickets extends to third-party courier services. Companies like Jackpocket and TheLotter purchase official lottery tickets on behalf of players in some states but do not serve Washington residents.
The WSGC strictly enforces the state’s total ban on online lottery sales. For instance, a lesser-known courier launched for Washington players in 2021 despite receiving advice from the Commission that doing so would violate state law. The WSGC forced the courier out of Washington after issuing a cease-and-desist order and successfully defending its position in a legal challenge.
Currently, there are no indications that lawmakers or the state lottery intend to pursue legal online lottery sales.
Washington Online Horse Racing
Online horse racing betting is legal and regulated in Washington.
Advance deposit wagering (online horse racing betting) is the only form of online gambling that is legal and regulated in Washington.
Under RCW 67.16.260, advance deposit wagering apps (ADWs) like TwinSpires may apply for licenses from the Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC)
Although most states require residents to be 18 or older to bet on horse races online, Washington law establishes a minimum age of 21.
Read more:
Washington Gambling Regulators
Several state regulators oversee gambling in Washington, each with its own domain:
- Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC): Regulates non-tribal activities like card rooms, raffles, and enforces prohibitions; issues licenses and conducts investigations.
- Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC): Oversees pari-mutuel wagering, including ADWs; ensures track integrity and consumer protections.
- Washington State Lottery Commission: Manages lottery operations, retailer licensing, and draw integrity.
- Tribal Gaming Agencies: Each tribe regulates its casinos and sports wagering under state compacts and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Washington
Washington provides several state-funded and non-profit resources for individuals seeking help with problem gambling. These services include prevention, education, and treatment referrals. The primary non-profit organization leading these efforts is the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling.
Self-Exclusion Resources
- WSGC Self-Exclusion Program: The WSGC administers a statewide self-exclusion program that covers all privately operated house-banked card rooms. Individuals can enroll for a period of one, three, five, or ten years by mail, at any licensed card room, or at the WSGC headquarters in Lacey.
- Lottery Self-Exclusion Program: The state lottery operates a standalone voluntary self-exclusion program. Individuals who enroll may not create loyalty accounts or collect prizes over $600.
- Tribal Self-Exclusion Programs: Each tribal casino operates an independent self-exclusion program, so players must enroll at each casino individually.
Responsible Gambling Organizations
- Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG): The ECPG provides public awareness campaigns, education, and referrals to treatment services. The ECPG operates a 24/7 confidential helpline: call or text 1-800-547-6133.
- State Problem Gambling Program (HCA): The Washington State Healthcare Authority Problem Gambling Program provides state-funded assessment and treatment services for eligible Washington residents and their family members.
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA): A fellowship that provides peer-support meetings for individuals recovering from a gambling problem. Meetings are held in various locations throughout the state.
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): A national advocacy organization that provides resources and operates a 24/7 helpline. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.