Sports betting is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, and Washington State is no exception. In 2020, the state legalized sports betting at tribal casinos, and since then, several retail sportsbooks have opened their doors to the public. However, online sports betting remains a contentious issue, as it is currently restricted to tribal lands only. In this article, we will provide an overview of the current state of sports betting in Washington, as well as some of the best sites and apps to use if you want to place a wager.
Washington State has a long history of being anti-gambling, as it was one of the few states that banned daily fantasy sports (DFS) after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA). However, in March 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 2638, which authorized sports betting at tribal casinos only. The bill also included an emergency clause, which allowed it to take effect immediately without a public referendum.
The bill granted exclusive rights to 29 federally recognized tribes to offer sports betting at their casinos, subject to renegotiating their gaming compacts with the state. In June 2021, the Washington State Gambling Commission approved the amended compacts of 16 tribes, allowing them to launch retail sportsbooks on their premises. The compacts also received federal approval from the Department of the Interior in August 2021.
As of January 2023, there are 15 retail sportsbooks operating in Washington State, with more expected to follow soon. The first one to open was Snoqualmie Casino on September 9, 2021, where former Seattle SuperSonics star Shawn Kemp placed the first legal sports bet in the state. Some of the other tribal casinos that have launched sportsbooks include:
The retail sportsbooks offer a variety of wagering options, such as moneylines, point spreads, totals, parlays, teasers, futures, and same game parlays. They also cover a wide range of sports, such as NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, MMA, tennis, golf, boxing, motorsports, cricket, European soccer, and college sports. However, betting on in-state college teams is prohibited.
While retail sports betting is legal and thriving in Washington State, online sports betting is still a contentious issue. The current law only allows online sports betting within the boundaries of tribal lands, which means that bettors have to physically be on casino property to use their mobile devices or computers to place a wager.
As of January 2023, only one tribal casino has launched an online sports betting app: Snoqualmie Casino. The app is powered by IGT and went live on December 20, 2021. It offers similar features and options as the retail sportsbook at Snoqualmie Casino, but it can only be accessed within a geofenced area around the casino.
The limited availability of online sports betting in Washington State has sparked some debate among lawmakers and stakeholders. Several bills have been introduced in the state legislature to expand online sports betting to non-tribal casinos and racetracks or to allow statewide mobile wagering. However, none of these bills have gained much traction so far.
One of the main arguments against expanding online sports betting is that it would violate the exclusivity agreement between the state and the tribes. The tribes have invested heavily in their casinos and communities and have contributed millions of dollars in taxes and revenue sharing to the state. They also argue that online sports betting would increase problem gambling and harm their cultural values.
On the other hand, proponents of expanding online sports betting claim that it would generate more revenue for the state and create more jobs and opportunities for local businesses. They also point out that online sports betting is already happening illegally through offshore sites and apps that are not regulated or taxed by the state. They contend that legalizing and regulating online sports betting would protect consumers and create a fair and competitive market.
As mentioned above, online sports betting is currently restricted to tribal lands only in Washington State. Therefore, if you want to place a bet online, you have to use the Snoqualmie Casino app or visit one of the retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos.
However, if you are looking for alternatives or want to compare different options, you can also check out some of the best online sports betting sites and apps that operate legally in other states. These sites and apps offer a variety of features, such as:
Some of the best online sports betting sites and apps that you can use in other states include:
Sports betting is legal in Washington State, but it is limited to tribal casinos only. There are 15 retail sportsbooks operating in the state, with more expected to launch soon. Online sports betting is also legal, but only within the boundaries of tribal lands. The only online sports betting app available in the state is Snoqualmie Casino, which launched in December 2021.
There is some debate among lawmakers and stakeholders about expanding online sports betting to non-tribal casinos and racetracks or to allow statewide mobile wagering. However, no bills have been passed so far to change the current law.
If you want to place a bet online, you can use the Snoqualmie Casino app or visit one of the retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos. Alternatively, you can also check out some of the best online sports betting sites and apps that operate legally in other states.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about sports betting in Washington State:
Is sports betting legal in Washington State?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Washington State, but only at tribal casinos. The state legalized sports betting at tribal casinos in March 2020, and the first retail sportsbook opened in September 2021.
Is online sports betting legal in Washington State?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Washington State, but only within the boundaries of tribal lands. The only online sports betting app available in the state is Snoqualmie Casino, which launched in December 2021.
What are the best online sports betting sites and apps for Washington State?
The best online sports betting site and app for Washington State is Snoqualmie Casino, which is the only one that operates legally within the state. However, you can also check out some of the best online sports betting sites and apps that operate legally in other states, such as BetOnline, Bovada, MyBookie, and XBet.
What are the best retail sportsbooks for Washington State?
There are 15 retail sportsbooks operating in Washington State, all located at tribal casinos. Some of the best ones include:
What are the legal gambling options in Washington State?
Besides sports betting at tribal casinos, the legal gambling options in Washington State include:
What are the illegal gambling options in Washington State?
Some of the illegal gambling options in Washington State include:
What is the legal gambling age in Washington State?
The legal gambling age in Washington State varies depending on the type of gambling. For casino games and horse racing, you have to be 18 years or older. For lottery games and charitable gaming, you have to be 18 years or older or accompanied by an adult. For sports betting at tribal casinos, you have to be 21 years or older.
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