Washington Sports Betting

washington sports betting

This article will look at the legality of sports betting in Washington. We will discuss the different types of Washington sports betting available in the state, where customers can bet, and the industry regulations. We will also look at some of the upcoming developments in the industry that are likely to impact the future of Washington sports betting significantly.

Best Online Sportsbook In Washington

At the moment, customers can carry out mobile sports betting through an app while they are present at a physical Indian casino. Players who bet through an app on tribal retail casino sites can pick from various options.

Here are some of them:

BetOnline

BetOnline is a private gambling company founded in 2004. Their headquarters are in Panama City, Panama. Bet online is legal in many states in the US. They offer players a wide range of casino games and sports betting. In addition, it provides various secure payment options, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

XBet

XBet’s motto is Reliability, Reputation, and Real fast payouts. They offer Washington sports bets for a variety of sports and also for horse racing. Their customer service support those who have any questions or require any help.

Bovada

Bovada has been in the gambling industry since 2011, but Bodog has powered it. Bodog was founded in 1994 by Calvin Ayre, and its headquarters are in Antigua and Barbuda. Bodog is an established brand that has been in existence for many years. Because of this, it has built a reputation among its customers as a safe and trustworthy site. Bovada offers a variety of in-game bets and live-streaming.

Sportsbetting.ag

Sportsbetting.ag was established in the early 200s. It operates under the laws of the Government of Panama. The gambling systems go through random checks to ensure the security and fairness of its games. As a result, its customer service is readily available.

BetUS

BetUs is a company that has been around for some time. It was founded in 1994, and its headquarters are in San Jose, Costa Rica. It offers a variety of sports betting, horse racing, and casino games. In addition, it makes various payment options available to its customers.

History of Sports Betting in Washington

To understand laws on Washington sports betting, we need to go back in history. In 1909, gambling in the United States spiked multiple times. As a result of these spikes, gaming became outlawed. The prohibition happened in the year 1910. It was lifted after 23 years in 1933, leaving each state with a decision on whether or not they allow gambling. Washington allowed pari-mutuel betting on horse races that year. It continued to amend gambling laws until it allowed restricted gambling in the 1970s. The first tribal casino was opened in 1976.

Tribal casinos were seen as an opportunity to support the Indian community. President Ronald Reagan signed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, also called the IGRA, in 1988. Since then, many tribal groups have opened casinos across multiple states. Each tribal group that wanted to open a casino has since had to sign the IGRA.

Sports betting became outlawed in 1992 by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks, which decided that federal actions needed to forbid such activities. The law that caused Washington sports betting and sports betting in other states to be outlawed was called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, also called PASPA. Every state was affected, but gambling was still allowed in some states – Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana.

Sports betting became legalized again with the repeal of PASPA in 2018. It left every state to make their choice about whether to legalize sports betting or not. New Jersey had a lot to do with the repeal. The state began lobbying for legalization in 2012, and that effort paid off when the Supreme Court ruled in their favor in 2018. Once they had the Supreme Court’s decision on their side, they had nothing standing in their way regarding legalizing sports betting in their state. Other states quickly followed their lead and began taking the necessary steps to legalize sports betting.

The bill that allowed Washington sports betting at tribal casinos is called HB 2638. Governor Jay Inslee signed it on March 25th, 2021. In June 2021, 16 tribes renegotiated gaming compacts in Washington. These were approved in August 2021. On September 9th, the first Washington sports betting became available at the Snoqualmie Casino, owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe.

Snoqualmie Casino was the first retailer to launch a mobile app for Washington sports betting. They did this to improve the sports wagering process and make it easier to place bets.

In September 2021, FanDuel, a famous sportsbook, partnered with Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, becoming another sportsbook available in Washington. FanDuel sportsbook was launched in February 2022.

BetMGM was soon to join Washington as another provider of Washington sports betting. BetMGM became available at Tacoma’s Emerald Queen Casino in December 2021. Another giant of sports betting, DraftKings, decided to become available in Washington in January 2022.

Washington sports betting now consists of opportunities to betting through any available tribal casinos. For now, it does not seem that Washington sports betting will be available online soon outside of Washington’s retail locations, but that may change with time.

Legal Online Washington State Sports Betting

Washington sports betting is legal under limited conditions. It became legal in 2020. The bill to allow Governor Jay Inslee to sign Washington sports betting. The first Washington sports betting sportsbooks opened in 2021. Legal sports betting is, however, limited to betting directly on retail sites. It is not currently possible for customers to place bets on their favorite teams online or via mobile sports betting with one of the many online bookmakers.

For now, Washington sports betting remains to be available at tribal casinos. In Washington, there are a total of 29 federally recognized tribes. Many tribes have received authorization to offer online Washington sports betting. Many popular sportsbooks are now available in Washington through these tribal casinos.

The first retail sportsbook was opened on September 9th of, 2021, at Snoqualmie Casino. More casinos were soon to open afterward, with the expectation of more opening shortly. Nine tribes have acquired licenses to provide Washington sports betting options in 2021. Customers can place wagers on games such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer. The sports books at these locations offer a wide variety of different sports and betting options to their customers. Each tribal casino is allowed to open a sportsbook once they obtain their licenses.

There is no sports gambling tax in Washington. However, any winnings must be reported as income tax does apply. Customers who win money through a sports bet must ensure to write this on their tax return. It is illegal to place a bet on a sporting event in Washington if you are not physically present where the game is taking place. A customer must be present at the sports book and physically place the bet for it to be permitted. Customers must be physically current in the state of Washington. Placing a bet via the internet is not allowed in Washington when done outside of the retail Casino. The only type of online betting allowed is retail Washington sports betting venues.

Online betting currently remains illegal. Customers also cannot make registrations or deposits outside of physical venues. Washington’s online sports betting laws will likely change as more states start to legalize online gambling. In the meantime, here is more information about the legalities of sports betting in Washington.

To support responsible gaming, the Washington State Gambling Commission provides customers with confidential support daily, including online chat. They also offer a variety of resources.

How to Pick a Washington Sportsbook

There are multiple things to consider when picking a Virginia sports betting site, such as:

Licensing

A sportsbook must have a license and be legally allowed to operate. Therefore, it is appropriate for the sportsbook to be regulated by the appropriate body. In this way, customers can bet on sports in a secure environment.

Customer Support

Each sports betting site should be able to provide its customers with adequate customer support. Customers must be aware that the more easily accessible service is and the better the quality of service they receive, the more they will benefit.

Many sites also have customer service services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on multiple platforms, such as over the phone, via live chat on their website, or through social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Website and Mobile Interface

There is a need to ensure that users have a positive experience when using the site on both the website and mobile platforms. In most cases, customers also use their mobile phones to place a bet, which is why optimizing the mobile app is a priority.

It should be noted that the betting site should work correctly on a mobile browser if there is no mobile app available. I believe that websites and apps should run smoothly and that they should not crash or freeze at any time. For mobile apps to be successful, it is paramount that features like touch ID are available. Use their fingerprints to access the app’s features quickly and securely.

Variety of Markets

Some sportsbooks will offer a selection of betting markets for a wide range of sporting events, while others will not have as many markets available. By having a wide selection of betting markets, players will be able to select the one that is most suitable for them based on their preferences.

Competitive Odds

It is important to note that different sportsbooks offer different prices and odds. It has been found that some sports betting sites offer competitive odds that bring a higher value to their customers and allow them to bet higher amounts without being limited.

Payment Security

A sportsbook should have secure payment and web security systems. Any financial information must be kept safe to ensure no breaches during financial transactions.

Furthermore, some payment methods are faster and easier to use than others, so, as a result, it may be beneficial to select a site that offers a variety of payment methods that suit the preferences of the customer.

Washington Sports Teams

Washington State is home to multiple professional sports teams. For example:

The Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners play Major League Baseball, also known as MLB, as American League West division members. They joined the American League in 1977. Starting as an expansion team, they have since become one of the most successful teams in the league.

The Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are the professional football team in Seattle, Washington. Initially, they entered the National Football League, or NFL, as an expansion. As of 2002, they have been members of the National Football Conference, also known as NFC, in the National Football Conference West (NFC West) division.

Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals are a professional Washington hockey team. They are a member of the Metropolitan Division in the eastern conference. Founded in 1974, the team competes in the National Hockey League, also known as the NHL.

Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC is a professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. The team currently plays in the Western Conference in Major League Soccer, also known as MLS. The team began to play in 2009 as an expansion team.

Seattle Kraken

Seattle Kraken is a professional Washington hockey team competing in the National Hockey League or NHL. It is a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The Seattle Kraken team was founded in 2021.

Retail Sports Betting in Washington

Washington sports betting is currently only permitted in any of its tribal casinos. As of the moment, tribal casinos are the only casinos available in Washington. This could change soon if a bill is passed to allow regulated Washington sports betting in all facilities across the state of Washington. At this point, it is unclear when or if the bill will be passed.

However, there are plenty of tribal casinos in Washington which allow opportunities for Washington sports betting. Find more information about tribal casinos in Washington below.

Tribal Casinos

To participate in Washington sports betting, customers in Washington visit tribal casinos. Tribal casinos were legalized in 1988 by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which President Ronald Reagan signed off. Tribal groups must obtain a license to operate casinos in Washington.

Tribal casinos are the only places that can legally offer Washington sports betting. In 2021, nine tribes were authorized to provide Washington sports betting sportsbooks. The first tribal casino opened in 1976. There are 33 Indian casinos in the state of Washington as of 2022. They all provide gambling opportunities, and some provide Washington sports betting. Some of Washington’s casinos:

Swinomish Casino

Swinomish Casino opened in 1994. It has many entertainment facilities and gambling options. It is located in a peaceful environment. Visitors can stay over as there is accommodation available.

Tulalip Resort Casino

Tulalip Resort Casino is a luxurious, large resort which was established in the year 2003. There are many options for refreshments and entertainment at Tulalip. That includes restaurants, live shows, and concerts.

Muckleshoot Casino

Muckleshoot Casino has various gambling options, entertainment, and recreational facilities. It makes for an enjoyable trip for many kinds of occasions. Caesars Entertainment Corporation has partnered with the Muckleshoot Casino, the Spokane Tribe, and Chewelah Casinos.

The centerpiece of these collaborations will occur at the Muckleshoot Casino, where Caesars Sportsbook will establish a new retail sportsbook and make its mobile app accessible to customers. At the same time, they are on the premises of the resort.

Elwha River Casino

Located near the Elwha River and the seaside, the Elwha River casino is a slot gaming house with plenty of slot machines. There are many places to stay over for the night and plenty of entertainment to enjoy, not to mention the tasty dining options.

7 Cedars Casino

7 Cedars Casino is located in Cedars GolfCourse, Sequim. The setting of this casino is pleasant and peaceful. There are many restaurants available, as well as live shows and entertainment. There is always something to do.

Spokane Tribe Casino

The Spokane Tribe Casino may be found in Airways Heights, Washington, located quite close to the border with Idaho. Although the casino is still in its infancy, having only opened its doors for the first time in 2018, it offers a respectable assortment of casino games. This tribal casino has approximately 500 slot machines and table games. Thus, it attracts a good population not only from inside the state but also from neighboring states.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports is a subset of sports betting where players draft a team of real-life athletes for a set time based on how well they performed that day in real life. Unfortunately, they currently remain illegal in Washington. Washington is one of the few states that has kept these sites banned.

Should Daily Fantasy Sports be legalized in Washington, we might see the following Daily Fantasy Sports sites make their debut in the state:

FanDuel

FanDuel has partnered with Suquamish Tribal Gaming Commission and is already available at retail gaming locations in Washington. FanDuel is one of the most popular sports betting sites and Daily Fantasy Sports companies in the US. It offers many different types of tournaments for players to participate in, customer support, and various payment options.

DraftKings

Another leading sports betting site and Daily Fantasy Sports company, DraftKings, will soon join FanDuel in providing sportsbooks in retail casinos. If Daily Fantasy Sports were to be made legal in Washington, DraftKings would make an ideal choice for players looking to place their bets and play games through mobile and online platforms.

Offshore Sports Betting

Offshore sports betting is discouraged as it is always a risk. Moreover, as sports betting is available in Washington’s tribal casinos, offshore Washington sports betting should never be necessary. That said, online sports betting can only be done inside one of the licensed retail locations, so those wanting to place a bet from the comfort of their own homes will have to look at offshore sportsbooks until there is a change in the law.

Horse Racing and Off-Track Betting

Washington has a long and storied history with horse racing. Horse racing became widely legalized before Washington sports betting and other gambling.

In 1872, Seattle Race Course opened. It was among the first to offer pari-mutuel wagering. Pari-mutuel wagering allows bettors to place wagers on different horses throughout the race -regardless of which horse finishes first. Bets are paid out depending on the number of horses that finish the race in a specific order.

In 1889, lotteries were prohibited in Washington. This did not affect horse racing at the time. Spokane Race Track opened in 1901, followed by Meadows Race Track in 1902. However, as horse racing became popular, it was banned in 1909. Sports betting was banned as well in 1910. This was done at the federal level.

Pari-mutual wagering was legalized in 1933 in Washington State, and Longacres Race Track opened. Locagres was the major horse racing track in Washington. Two years later, Playfair Race Course was established.

Slot machines were prohibited in 1937, but horse racing remained allowed. Yakima Meadows Race Track opened in 1961. Unfortunately, many race tracks, including Yakima Meadows Race Track, closed in the 1990s. Playfair Race course briefly opened in the 2000s.

Today, there is one primary horse racing site in Washington:

Emerald Downs: The primary racing site in Washington is Emerald Downs. It is located in Auburn, Washington. It was built to replace a racing site called Locagres in June 1996. Longacres was unfortunately taken over by other businesses in the area ad eventually passed into history. Emerald Downs

There are off-track betting facilities throughout Washington where residents can place bets on horse races. They are often in casinos and other businesses that are allowed to offer them. A few examples are:

  • Muckleshoot Casino: 2402 Auburn Way South Auburn, Washington 98002
  • Hawks Prairie Casino: 8318 Quinault Drive NE Lacey, Washington 98516
  • 7 Cedars Resort and Casino: 270756 Hwy 101 Sequim, Washington 98382
  • Silver Star Saloon: 6718 NE Forth Plain Blvd Vancouver, Washington 98661
  • A & C Tavern: 3249 Perry Avenue NE Bremerton, Washington 98310

Summary

In summary, Washington sports betting online is currently not allowed, but there are still many forms of sports betting and other gaming available in person. These are provided at Washington’s tribal casinos.

In the United States, there are many states which have legalized the online gambling industry. However, the state of Washington has not followed suit just yet, and Washington sports betting does not seem in sight. This is due mainly to the fact that there are still plenty of regulatory roadblocks to overcome before the industry can be regulated appropriately and legalized within the state of Washington. In the grand scheme of things, it will likely take some time before this happens. However, several casinos in Washington do offer betting options.

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About Joe Kizlauskas

Joe is a seasoned iGaming copywriter and speaker who has been in the business since 2015. He's written more words on all elements of Casinos, Slots, Bingo & Sports Betting than he likes to remember, and he's contributed material to a number of well-known brands. Joe may be seen playing 5 a side, at the gym or playing games on his Playstation when he is not writing.