Amelia Walker, a J.D. holder and senior content writer at Betting.us, is a legal expert in responsible gambling. Initially skeptical, she now has over six years in professional gambling. She’s studied gambling law and currently educates gamblers on our site in legal and safe play.
Sports Betting in Washington
By Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer at Betting.us
Updated: December 14, 2023
Washington became the first state to legalize sports betting in 2020, making it the 21st state to have a legal sports gambling scene following the abolishment of PASPA in 2018. However, the state has had an active sports betting scene since 1973, when the Gaming Act allowed 100 square sports pool boards. The Washington State Horse Racing Commission also approves making wagers on horse races, which offers additional options to punters seeking sports betting opportunities. Hello and welcome to our review of sports betting in Washington state.
Full List and Map of Sports Betting Locations in Washington
Washington has strict laws regarding sports betting, so it is essential to understand all regulations before you visit a sportsbook. Ideally, sports’ betting is now legal in Washington as it is in Nevada or New Jersey. However, the state limits it to tribal casinos. Here is a look at all sports betting locations in the Washington state map.
The Best Washington Sportsbook
| Name | Type | Website | Full Address | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Downs | Racetrack, Off-Track, Casino | emeralddowns.com | 2300 Ron Crockett Dr, Auburn, WA 98001 | Read Review |
Betting Locations by Type
You can place bets on sports in the state of Washington. For a long time, the only option available to sports punters were 10 square sports betting pool boxes and horse races. Washington legalized sports betting in 2020 making it possible for operators to apply for a license to offer odds or betting lines on sporting events. Compare Washington betting locations by type, including the newest and most reputable sportsbooks.
Casino Resorts
The state of Washington is among the most popular destinations and naturally has several gambling tourists. As such, there are many casino resorts offering various types of odds and betting lines legally within the state. Some of the popular casinos include Little Creek Casino Resort, Suquamish ClearWater Casino Resort, Quinault Beach Resort and Casino and Silver Reef Casino Resort.
Racetracks
Horse racing in Washington is governed by the Washington State Horse Racing Commission and punters can place wagers on various types of horse bets available in the state’s racetracks. Some of the popular racetracks in Washington include Dayton Days, Emerald Downs, Harbor Park, Sun Downs, Waitsburg and Walla Walla.
| Racetracks | Types of Racing | Review link |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Downs |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
Off-Track Betting
For off track betting in Washington, you can visit any of the tribal casinos and simulcast facilities distributed across the state. Most OTB satellite locations are partnered with Emerald, which is the racetrack offering all the big events and odds. Some of the popular off track betting locations in the state of Washington include Emerald Downs, Northern Quest Casino and Muckleshoot Casino.
Riverboats
Washington boasts several riverboat casinos available for punters looking to gamble while enjoying a cruise across beautiful rivers of the Pacific Northwest. If you are looking for riverboat casino experiences, the popular destinations in Washington include Silver Reef Casino, Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino, Elwha River Casino and The Point Casino & Hotel.
List of Legal Offline Sportsbooks in Washington
The state of Washington will start authorizing bookmaker to provide odds and betting lines on sports events, since the activity is now legal. However, sports bets and odds will be available in tribal casinos only, although you can still enjoy other options, such as horse bets and square pool boxes. All the legal offline betting locations in the state are listed below.
Search for Sportsbooks in Washington
| Casino Name: | Address: | Secure Link: | City: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | |||
| Emerald Downs | 2300 Ron Crockett Dr, Auburn, WA 98001 | ||
| A & C Tavern | 3249 Perry Ave NE F, Bremerton, WA 98310 | ||
| Muckleshoot Casino | 2402 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98002 | Seattle | |
| Bub's Pub | 1326 Harrison Ave, Centralia, WA 98531 | ||
| Casino Caribbean Yakima | 1901 Boggess Lane, Yakima, Washington 98901 | ||
| Northern Quest Casino | 100 N Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99001 | ||
| Seven Cedars Casino | 270756 US-101, Sequim, WA 98382 | ||
| Snoqualmie Casino | 37500 SE North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 | ||
| Casino Caribbean Kirkland | 12526 NE 144th St, Kirkland, WA 98034 | ||
| Silver Star Saloon | 6718 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661 | ||
| Sports Page Bar & Grill | 6 S Cascade St, Kennewick, WA 99336 | ||
Washington Sports Gambling - All Leagues and Bet Types
Washington State hosts several professional leagues and sports events. Popular leagues include football, soccer, baseball and more. The state legalized sports betting, so you can expect sportsbooks to begin providing odds and bets on various events. Here is a look at all leagues and bet types you can place in the state of Washington.
- HORSES & DOGS
-
- Thoroughbred racing
- Harness racing
- Standardbred racing
Bet Types: - OFF-TRACK (Simulcast) BETTING
-
The State Law Allows Off-Track Betting
Where Can I Check the Current Betting Odds and Lines?
If you want to get odds and betting lines on legal sports events in the state of Washington, you should visit the sportsbook central location. Visiting a race book is the safest way to get accurate odds, so you should visit your favorite racetrack or OTB location. Another option would be to receive odds via messages or email, which isn’t available in Washington, since sports betting isn’t legal. You can also find odds via apps or online site provided by the racebook, although our discussions will not focus on websites. As such, we recommend you visit the land based sports betting location for odds and betting lines.
Legal Sports Betting in Washington
The legality of sports betting in Washington became clear in 2020 when the state legalized sports gambling in tribal casinos. Square pool boxes, horse race wagering and pari-mutuels are also available to sports punters, so you can visit racetracks and casinos for odds on legal sports betting. Here is more to help you understand the sports betting scene in Washington state.
Is sports betting legal in Washington?
Yes, Sports betting is legal in Washington
Legal age for sports betting?
Minimum gambling age is 18 or 21 if the establishment sells alcohol
Can you bet online in Washington?
No, all gambling on the Internet is illegal, including all types of sports betting
Is fantasy sports betting allowed?
Yes, fantasy sports betting is allowed
Is off-track betting allowed?
Off-track betting is legal in Washington if offered by an authorized provider.
Are there any restrictions?
Yes, Washington resisticts sports betting according to age
Who regulates WA sports betting?
Regulatory Agency Lottery regulates sports betting in WA
History of Sports Betting in Washington
Washington is one of the recent states to legalize sports betting within its borders. As expected, Washington had a different model for their legal sports betting, which is only permitted in tribal casinos. It became the 21st state to have a legal sports betting scene, meaning punters can now place wagers on various sports events happening in the state. Here is a brief overview of Washington’s sports gambling history, including key events in the timeline.
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Legal Pari-Mutuel Betting | 1933 was the year that Washington made moves to legalize pari mutuel wagering on horse races. Although horse racing is managed separately and never considered as sports gambling, legalizing pari mutuel wagers opened doors for more gambling activity in the state. Punters could place wagers on any of the authorized racetracks and OTB locations. |
| 1973 | 10 Square sports betting pool boxes | For a long time, the 10 square sports betting pool box and pari mutuel were the only options available to sports punters. Pool boxes were made legal in 1973, allowing operators to offer odds on specific sporting events with wagers no more than $1. |
| 1992 | PASPA Abolishment | The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) became law in 1992, rendering sports betting illegal in most parts of the USA, including Washington. However, the law was struckk down by the Supreme Court in 2018 and began what has become a revolution in sports gambling laws across the United States. |
| 2020 | Legal Sports Betting in Tribal Casinos | Governor Jay Inslee signed the sports betting bill into law on March 25th, making Washington the first state to legalize sports gambling in 2020. The law permits sports betting on all events, except school events, within tribal casinos. |
How to Bet on Sports in Washington
If you are looking for information on how to bet on sports in Washington, do not expect any difference compared to betting in other states where sports gambling is legal. Simply visit your favorite sportsbook in Washington, compare available odds and betting lines, place a wager and collect your ticket to wait for the result. Keep the ticket as it will be required before you receive your win.
General Rules
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Once both parties accept a wager, it will not be altered or voided prior to the start of the event or championship
-
Winning tickets are void after one year counting from the date of the last event on the wager
-
Winnings of over $10,000 may be delayed until the next regular banking day
-
Betting Limits:
$0.01 Minimum - Maximum depends on the brand -
Betting hours:
08001000
Are Exchanges and Pari-Mutuel Betting Available in Washington?
Pari-mutuel wagering has been legal in Washington since 1993 and is one of the earliest forms of gambling in the state. Although some of the once popular racetracks have closed down, Washington still has a decent horse racing scene with sufficient odds and betting lines for pari-mutuel bettors. Exchanges, on the other hand, aren’t legal in the state of Washington.
Taxation of Winnings
Washington does not tax gambling winnings, but set maximum limits that allows local cities and counties to collect tax on various events. The state also follows all the federal regulations concerning the taxation of gambling winnings, so you are expected to include such income when filing your annual income and taxes. You should also check the tax regulations provided by your local county.
Federal Law:
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$600 or more - the payor is obliged to provide you with a W-2G form
-
Winnings of 300x the bet or more, must be reported
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All gambling winnings must be filed under a W-2G form and are subject to 25% federal tax
Additional State Rules:
-
Mobile sports wagering is not allowed statewide but is permitted when on-site at a licensed tribal casino
To learn more about taxation in the US in general, visit our detailed section.
About Washington
Located in the Pacific North West region of the USA, Washington is one of the famous states in the nation and a popular tourist destination.
| Capital | Olympia |
|---|---|
| Largest City | Seattle |
| Population | 7.615 million (2019) |
| Area | 184,827 km² |
| Time zone | (GMT-7) |
| State Nickname(s) | The Evergreen State |
| Motto | Bye and Bye |
| Teams | Sport | League |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners | Baseball | Major League Baseball |
| Reign FC | Soccer | National Women's Soccer League |
| Seattle Seahawks | Football | National Football League |
| Seattle Storm | Basketball | Women's National Basketball Association |
| Seattle NHL team | Ice hockey | National Hockey League |
Helping Hand for Players in Washington
The state of Washington sympathizes with problem gamblers and has various help centers as well as hotlines you can use to find support when faced with a gambling behavior. If you are trying to overcome impulsive gambling or know someone that has the signs of such addition, here are all hotlines and help centers you can use.
Help for Problem Gambling in Washington
- Recovery helpline 1-866-789-1511
- Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, 1821 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98506, United States1-866-789-1511www.evergreencpg.org
Lawyers for Betting Cases
- A. Jeff Ifrah 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W. Suite 650 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 524-4142www.ifrahlaw.com
FAQ
What sports can't you bet on in Washington?
All sports events except school matches within the Washington State, Horse races, Quarter Horse, Greyhound,
Who is ineligible to place sports bets in Washington?
21 years and above
What are other options for gambling available in Washington?
State Lottery, Casino games, Slot machines, Poker, Square pool boxes
Who can apply for a Washington sports betting license?
Any tribal casino that meets the requirements of the states gambling commission.
How much do sports betting operators have to pay in taxes?
Operators will pay 10% of their sports gambling revenue as tax.
How much revenue does Washington sports betting generate?
There is no government report on revenue collected from sports betting in Washington since it just became legal.