State Laws concerning gambling can be found under RCW Chapter 9.46. State rules concerning gambling can be found under WAC Title 230. NEWS AND LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY. AP Images is the world's largest collection of historical and contemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP's iconic editorial photos of today's breaking news, celebrity portraits by renowned Invision photographers, historical images across all genres, creative rights managed and royalty-free stock photography a microstock subscription or music. In the fall of 1988, President Reagan signed into law the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). This confirmed the rights of tribes to conduct gaming on Indian lands and required states and tribes to enter into a compact (contract) for certain types of gaming. IGRA also created three classes of Indian gaming and provided for a different regulatory framework for each class.

1. Washington State Casino Regulations
2. Can You Gamble In Washington State

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. Washington Casino Laws History and Facts; Year Event; 1933: The state begins to formalize horse racing – with the industry experiencing rapid growth legislative action is being called for. In 1933, Washington state introduces pari-mutuel betting regulations for all horse races within the Evergreen State.

Introduction to Washington Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Washington slot machine casino gambling consists of 31 tribal casinos with a unique type of electronic player terminal based on scratch tickets controlled by a state-wide Tribal Lottery System (TLS).

All state-tribal compacts set a minimum theoretical payout limit. However, no return statistics are publicly available.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Washington*

The minimum legal gambling age in Washington depends upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 18/21 depending upon the casino
• Poker Rooms: 18
• Bingo: 18
• Lottery: 18
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Washington’s player terminals at tribal casinos are based on the lottery’s scratch ticket games in electronic form. This unique form of slot machines makes Washington slot machines unique in the U.S. All other U.S.-based lottery terminals are based on draw lotteries, not from lotteries other game: scratch tickets.

Twenty-nine tribes originally negotiated tribal-state compacts to offer gambling at tribal casinos. However, the state and these tribes could not agree whether Vegas-style slot machines should be legal in Washington.

Scratch-based gaming machines resulted from early negotiations of these gaming compacts. This impasse resolution led to creating a secondary lottery system for player terminals at tribal casinos. The state lottery was a model for the TLS.

Draw-based terminals create tickets at the time of the bet using random number generators (RNGs). However, scratch-based terminals know in advance the result of each wager. Put another way, the outcome of each bet is pre-determined and do not require an RNG.

Another technical difference between lottery draw tickets and scratch tickets is how many of them can exist. For example, there are as many draw tickets as players are willing to buy. However, lotteries create only a limited number of scratch tickets but, hopefully, enough for a busy night at a Washington tribal casino.

All negotiated tribal-state compacts also have other legal restrictions for their scratch-based terminal-style slot machines. These limits have been expanding over time as part of this state’s dynamic gaming industry. The requirements are:

• Allows replaying of credits won
• No handles
• No mechanical spinning wheels
• A minimum payout return (see below)
• $5 maximum wager on 85% on VLTs
• $20 maximum wager on 15% of VLTs
• Cap of 2,500 VLT machines per tribe

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Washington

It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Washington if it is 25 years old or older.

Gaming Control Board in Washington

The gaming control board is the Washington State Gambling Commission offering licensing, regulation, and enforcement of certain aspects of the gaming industry in Washington. Their regulatory responsibilities primarily include testing and approving new electronic gaming machines.

Further, each tribe with a casino in Washington has a tribal gaming agency (TGA). Agents of a TGA are the primary regulators at tribal casinos. At all times, at least one TGA agent must be on duty at a tribal casino.

Casinos in Washington

There are 31 American Indian tribal casinos and multiple cruise ships based in the state of Washington.

The largest casino in Washington is Muckleshoot Casino with 3,125 electronic gaming terminals.

The second-largest casino is Ilani Casino Resort with 2,500 electronic gaming terminals.

Commercial Casinos in Washington

The state of Washington has no commercial casinos with slot machines.

Tribal Casinos in Washington

The state of Washington has 31 tribal casinos:

1. Angel of the Winds Casino Resort in Arlington, 50 miles north of Seattle
2. BJ’s Bingo & Gaming in Fife near Tacoma
3. Chewelah Casino in Chewelah, 50 miles north of Spokane
4. Coulee Dam Casino in Coulee Dam, 40 miles north of Seattle, owned by 12 Tribes Colville Casinos
5. Elwha River Casino in Port Angeles, 70 miles northwest of Seattle
6. Emerald Queen Casino & Hotel (EQC) in Fife near Tacoma
7. Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) I-5 in Tacoma
8. Ilani Casino Resort in Ridgefield, 25 miles north of Portland near the border to Oregon
9. Kalispel Casino in Cusick, 53 miles north of Spokane
10. Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, 23 miles north of Olympia
11. Lucky Dog Casino in Skokomish, 23 miles north of Olympia
12. Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel in Rochester, 26 miles south of Olympia
13. Mill Bay Casino in Manson, 200 miles northeast of Seattle on the north shore of Lake Chelan, owned by 12 Tribes Colville Casinos
14. Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, 20 miles south of Seattle
15. Nooksack Northwood Casino in Lynden, 14 miles north of Bellingham
16. Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights, 10 miles west of Spokane
17. The Point Casino in Kingston, 18 miles west of Seattle via Bainbridge Ferry
18. Quil Ceda Creek Nightclub & Casino in Quil Ceda Village, 30 miles north of Seattle
19. Quinault Beach Resort and Casino in Ocean Shores, 90 miles west of Tacoma
20. Red Wind Casino in Olympia
21. 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim, 70 miles northwest of Seattle by ferry
22. Shoalwater Bay Casino in Tokeland, 75 miles southwest of Olympia
23. Silver Reef Casino Resort in Ferndale, 17 miles north of Bellingham
24. Skagit Valley Casino Resort in Bow, 75 miles north of Seattle
25. Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, 30 miles east of Seattle
26. Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights, 9 miles west of Spokane
27. Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort in Suquamish, 15 miles west of Seattle via Bainbridge Ferry
28. Swinomish Casino & Lodge in Anacortes, 70 miles north of Seattle
29. Tulalip Casino in Quil Ceda Village, 30 miles north of Seattle
30. 12 Tribes Casino in Omak, 165 miles northeast of Seattle, owned by 12 Tribes Colville Casinos
31. Yakama Legends Casino in Toppenish, 20 miles south of Yakama

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Washington slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Washington is:

• North: The Canadian Province of British Columbia
• East: Idaho Slots
• South: Oregon Slots
• West: The Pacific Ocean

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Washington.

Our Washington Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Washington? If so, join our Washington slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Washington. Join us!

Payout Returns in Washington

The TLS directly controls the results of Washington’s unique terminal-style slot machines. TLS’ central computer system provides the outcome of each bet made on each terminal at the time of the wager. This off-site control extends to any bonus rounds.

All tribal-state compacts in Washington established a minimum theoretical payout of 75% for slot machines. Further, no return statistics for slots are available to the public.

Summary of Washington Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Washington slot machine casino gambling consists of 31 tribal casinos with electronic scratch ticket video player terminal slot machines. The state-run Tribal Lottery System (TLS) controls the results of all bets offsite from the tribal casinos.

Tribal-state compacts have set a minimum theoretical payout of 75% for their unique terminal-style electronic slot machines. No return statistics are available to the public.

Annual Progress in Washington Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Over the last year, Tulalip Resort Casino with its 2,400 gaming machines has dropped from second largest casino to third largest, replaced by Ilani Casino Resort with its 2,500 gaming machines.

Further, two tribal casinos have opened within the last year, including Kalispel Casino in Cusick located 53 miles north of Spokane and Spokane Tribe Casino located in Airway Heights a few miles west of Spokane.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: Virginia Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: West Virginia Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

Washington gambling laws allow casinos, horse racing, a state lottery, and
most other forms of gaming.

But they’re strict when it comes to gambling online.

In addition to discussing Washington’s online gambling laws, we’ll also
cover offshore gaming sites, land-based gambling laws in Washington, where to gamble in Washington, Washington’s
gambling history and the future of gambling in Washington

Online Gambling and Washington Law

Is Online Gambling Legal in Washington?

No, online gambling is not legal in Washington. The Washington Revised Code
strictly prohibits the transmission of gambling information over the internet.
This law applies to both players and operators.

Washington is one of the few states with specific laws on the books about
online gambling.

Here’s what the Washington State Gambling Commission website says about
internet gambling:

“The Washington
State Constitution (Article II Section 24) prohibits all gambling activities
unless the activity is specifically authorized in State law. Internet gambling
has never been authorized and is illegal in Washington State.

To further clarify this, in 2006, the Washington State Legislature amended RCW
9.46.240 to affirmatively state that Internet gambling is illegal in
Washington State.

The penalty for transmitting gambling information was also increased from a
gross misdemeanor to a class C felony.

It is illegal to:

• Operate an Internet gambling site.
• Gamble on the Internet.
• Install or maintain equipment to send or receive gambling information.
• Facilitate Internet gambling in any way.”

Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in Washington?

Yes, you can get arrested for gambling online in Washington. It’s a felony to
gamble online in Washington, which seems like a strict penalty when compared to
many other states, where it’s usually a misdemeanor.

But we couldn’t find record of any individual who has been arrested for
gambling online in Washington.

Law enforcement in Washington doesn’t have much interested in pursuing
individual online gamblers; they’re interested in residents who are running
illegal casinos online and on land.

Is Washington Going to Legalize Online Gaming?

It’s safe to say that since Washington went to the length of specifically
prohibiting online gambling and making it a felony, they most likely won’t
legalize online gambling.

Although Washington gambling sites could bring revenue into the state, it
seems that Washington is set on outlawing all forms of online gambling.

It’s possible that with some political changes and a push from the current
casinos, online gambling could come to Washington, but it would be a long time
before we saw any change.

How Do I Choose a Good Online Gaming Site?

Our best advice to all our readers is to follow the laws in your state. But
if you’re going to risk it, you can find Washington gambling sites operating in
other countries. These are companies who don’t mind skirting the legal situation
in the state.

If you decide to play at one of these sites, you need to take appropriate
steps to find one that’s legitimate.

Choosing a good online gaming site can be easy if you know what to look for.

• Deposit Options

  Check the deposit options available on the site. If you
  don’t feel comfortable using the deposit options available, look for a different
  site. Also check the withdrawal options.

• Game Variety

  Look into the all the games that the site offers. You want to
  make sure there’s enough content to keep you entertained.

• Read Reviews

  Read reviews from current or past members of the site. Reading
  reviews can be the most crucial part of your research because it gives you the
  best idea of what you can expect from the website.

• Talk to Customer Service

  Email, call, or live chat with the customer
  service team of the website you’re considering. You don’t have to have a real
  question; just come up with anything. The point of contacting the customer
  service department is to see how professional and quick they are.

• Read the Small Print

  Read the fine print on the sign-up promotions. Some
  promotions seem too good to be true, and they usually are. Reading the fine
  print about the promotion tells you how much you have to wager or how long you
  have to be a member before you get the promotional value.

Are Offshore Gambling Sites Safe?

Checking how long a site has been in business and reviewing their licenses
can let you know if a site is safe.

For any business to stay open, they have to have customers. Check how long
the site has been in business and it will give you a good idea about if they
have loyal customers that are happy with the site. A site that has been open 10
years has more loyal customers and more reviews than a site that has been open
10 months.

Offshore gambling sites have different restrictions and regulations when
getting their license than businesses in the U.S. do. Read into the details of
the regulations they have to follow to learn about the fees and restrictions the
site might have.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Washington?

No, daily fantasy sports are illegal in Washington.

Here’s what the Washington State Gambling Commission Spots Wagering page says
about it:

“In 1973, when the Gambling Act was first passed 100 square sports pool
boards were authorized. We believe these boards were popular at the time and
that’s why they were specifically authorized. We understand the NCAA basketball
“Final Four” tournament and the bracket pools often associated with the
tournament increased in popularity after 1979 when ESPN aired on television.
However, bracket pools, office sports pools, and fantasy sports have never been
authorized as gambling activities in Washington State and are illegal.”

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in Washington

• Casino Games (Legal)
• Lottery (Legal)
• Sports and Race Betting (Parimuteul Only)
• Bingo (Charitable games only)
• Social Gambling (Illegal Eith Exceptions)

The Washington Revised Code 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. Gambling does not include
fishing derbies as defined by this chapter, parimutuel betting and handicapping
contests”

Casino Games: Legal

Casinos can be found throughout Washington. Most casinos in Washington are
tribal casinos.

Tribal casinos are authorized for class three games, so you can find your
favorite casino games, including craps, poker, blackjack, and roulette, at these
casinos.

Here’s a list of the authorized card games that card rooms in these casinos
can offer:

Sports and Race Betting: Parimutuel Only

Parimutuel, or pool betting, is legal in Washington.

Here’s what the Washington State Gambling Commission Sports Wagering page
says:

“Both businesses and individuals may offer 100 square sports pool boards.
Strict rules must be followed when offering them (RCW 9.46.0335).

• Each business or individual may offer only one board on any single athletic event.
• The board must be divided into 100 squares.
• You may charge up to one dollar per square. Each player must be charged the same entry fee (up to one dollar per square).
• Each player picks a square and their name is written in the square.
• Numbers representing game scores are randomly assigned to each square.

You should develop and post house rules for how the sports pool board will be
operated. For example, a deadline for collecting prize money, winner
identification, requirements for someone other than a winner collecting a prize,
what will happen if there is a tie, and how money will be distributed if a
winning square is not sold.

The sports pool board must be available for inspection by anyone purchasing a
square, Gambling Commission agents, and other law enforcement representatives.

These limitations apply to all sporting events equally (Super Bowl, Final
Four, etc.).

It is illegal to have a sports pool board where you:

• Have more than one board per athletic event;
• Offer anything other than 100 squares;
• or Charge more than one dollar per square.

The 100 square sports pool board is the only sports wagering authorized in
Washington State law.”

Greyhound racing is illegal in Washington. Here’s what the Washington Revised
Code says about greyhound racing:

“A person may not hold, conduct, or operate live greyhound racing for public
exhibition, parimutuel betting, or special exhibition events, if such activities
are conducted for gambling purposes. A person may not transmit or receive
intrastate or interstate simulcasting of greyhound racing for commercial,
parimutuel, or exhibition purposes, if such activities are conducted for
gambling purposes.

A person who violates this section is guilty of a class B felony, under RCW
9.46.220, professional gambling in the first degree, and is subject to the
penalty under RCW 9A.20.021″

Lottery: Legal

Washington has a state-regulated lottery.

Here’s what the Washington state lottery website says:

“In addition to Washington’s Lottery players who took home $432.9 million
last year, the Lottery helps fund and support people and communities all over
the state. From the student who receives a college grant, to the convenience
store owner supporting his family, to the CenturyLink Stadium employee,
Washington’s Lottery continues to contribute to the well-being of others with
its proceeds.”

The Washington state lottery revenue goes toward:

• Winners 61.6%
• WOPA Education 18.3%
• Cost of Sales 6.3%
• Retailers 5.1%
• Stadium & Exhibition Center 1.7%
• General Fund 4.5%
• Administration 2.1%
• Economic Development 0.4%
• And problem gambling

Washington state lottery games include:

• Power Ball
• Mega Millions
• Lotto
• Hit 5
• Match 4
• Daily Game
• Daily Keno
• And scratch off cards

Bingo: Charitable Games Only

Social card games, dice games, bingo, raffles, and more are all legal for
charitable and nonprofit organizations to run in Washington.

Here’s what the Washington charitable gaming laws say about charitable and
nonprofit organization gambling activities:

“The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit
organizations to conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games, and fund raising
events, and to utilize punch boards and pull-tabs and to allow their premises
and facilities to be used by only members, their guests, and members of a
chapter or unit organized under the same state, regional, or national charter or
constitution, to play social card games authorized by the commission, when
licensed, conducted or operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and
rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.”

Social card games, punch boards, and pull tab games are also legal at
restaurants. Here’s what the Washington charitable gaming laws say about it:

“The legislature hereby authorizes any person, association or organization
operating an established business primarily engaged in the selling of food or
drink for consumption on the premises to conduct social card games and to
utilize punch boards and pull-tabs as a commercial stimulant to such business
when licensed and utilized or operated pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.”

Social gambling: Illegal With Exceptions

Washington gambling laws are based off three elements, which are a prize,
wagering, and chance. In order for it to be gambling, all three elements have to
be present, and if one of them is missing, it’s not considered gambling.

Washington residents can play any casino game in their home, as long as it’s
missing one of the three elements of gambling.

Here’s a list of the tribal casinos located in Washington:

1) Lucky Eagle Casino

12888 188th Avenue SW,

Rochester, WA 98579

(360) 273-2000

2) Coulee Dam Casino

515 Birch Street,

Coulee Dam, WA 99116

1-800-556-7492

3) Mill Bay Casino

455 E. Wapato Lake Rd,

Manson, WA 98831

1-800-648-2946

4) 12 Tribes Resort

28968 Highway 97,

Omak, WA 98841

1-800-559-4643

5) Ilani Casino Resort

1 Cowlitz Way,

Ridgefield, WA 98642

1-877-464-5264

6) 7 Cedars Casino

270756 Hwy 101,

Sequim, WA 98382

(360) 683-7777

7) Northern Quest Casino

100 N. Hayford Road,

Airway Heights, WA 99001

(509) 242-7000

8) Silver Reef Casino

4876 Haxton Way,

Ferndale, WA 98428

(360) 383-0777

9) Muckleshoot Casino

2402 Auburn Way S.,

Auburn, WA 98002

(800) 804-4944

10) Muckleshoot Bingo

2117 Auburn Way S,

Auburn, WA 98002

(253) 735-2404

11) Red Wind Casino

12819 Yelm Hwy SE,

Olympia, WA 98513

(360) 412-5000

12) The Point Casino

7989 Salish Lane NE,

Kingston, WA 98346

(360) 297-0070

13) Emerald Queen Casino at I-5

2024 E. 29th St.,

Tacoma, WA 98404

(253) 594-7777

14) EQC at FIFE

5700 Pacific Highway E,

Fife, WA 98424

(253) 594-7777

15) Quinault Beach Resort & Casino

78 State Route 115,

Ocean Shores, WA 98569

(360) 289-4466

14) Lucky Dog Casino

19330 US-101,

Skokomish, WA 98584

(360) 877-5656

17) Snoqualmie Casino

37500 SE North Bend Way,

Snoqualmie, WA 98065

(425) 888-1234

18) Chewelah Casino

2555 Smith Road,

Chewela, WA 99109

(509) 258-9845

19) Two Rivers Casino

6828-B Highway 25 South,

Davenport, WA 99122

1-800-954-2946

20) Little Creek Casino Resort

91 West State Route 108,

Shelton, WA 98584

(360) 427-7711

21) Angel of the Winds Casino

3438 Stoluckaguamish Lane,

Arlington, WA 98223

(360) 474-9740

22) Suquamish Clearwater Resort

15347 Suquamish Way NE,

Suquamish, WA 98392

(360) 598-8700

23) Suquamish Casino

12885 Casino Drive,

Anacortes, WA 98221

(360) 293-2691

24) Tulalip Resort Casino

10200 Quil Ceda Blvd,

Tulalip, WA 98270

(360) 716-6000

25) Skagit Valley Casino

5984 N. Dark Lane,

Bow, WA 98232

(360) 724-7777

26) Yakama Legends Casino

580 E. Fort Road,

Toppenish, WA 98948

(509) 865-8800

History of Gambling in Washington

Washington State Casino Regulations

Washington legalized pari-mutuel wagering on horse races.

The Gambling Commission oversees charity gambling including bingo, pull tabs, raffles, and casio nights.

Can You Gamble In Washington State

Washington Signs it’s first compact with a native tribe to open casinos.

Card rooms that offer non banked games are legalized outside of tribal lands.

Internet gambling is made a felony for both players and operators.

The poker Players Alliance goes to the Supreme Court to question the Internet gambling ban, but fails with the Supreme Court choosing to back the state.

A bill is put forward to regulate intra state poker in Washington but it doesn’t make it far before it’s rejected.

Additional Resources

Washington Gambling Future

Washington has legalized plenty of gambling, including casinos, social
gambling, charitable gambling, a lottery, and parimutuel horse racing.

But Washington gambling sites seem to be out of the question.

Since Washington has strictly prohibited daily fantasy sports online and made
gambling online a felony for both players and operators, it’s unlikely
Washington will ever have a state-regulated gambling site.