Online Gambling in Washington: Laws, Forms, and Player Behavior

Online poker is not legal in Washington. In fact, the state enforces some of the strictest laws in the country, making real-money internet poker a Class C felony. Washington is not part of any interstate compacts like the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, and there are no licensed platforms operating within state borders. All poker must be played in person, either at licensed card rooms or in tribal casinos under compact agreements. Players must be at least 18 or 21 depending on the venue, and all activity falls under the oversight of the Washington State Gambling Commission, which maintains a firm stance against online poker and other forms of internet gambling.

Washington's Lottery is legal and offers a variety of products, including in-state draw games like Lotto and Hit 5, as well as multi-state games such as Powerball and Mega Millions. Tickets can be bought at authorized retail locations. Unlike some states, online ticket sales are not offered by the official lottery. The minimum age to purchase a ticket is 18. All profits from the lottery are used to support public education and other state programs.

Bingo is permitted in Washington but is primarily restricted to licensed charitable and non-profit organizations. These groups can host bingo events under strict regulations from the Washington State Gambling Commission, with rules governing prize limits and revenue distribution. Some tribal casinos also offer bingo games. Importantly, online bingo for real money is illegal under the state’s prohibition on online gambling.

Charitable gambling is a key component of Washington's legal gaming framework, allowing qualified non-profit and charitable organizations to raise funds. Legal activities include raffles, bingo, amusement games, and licensed fundraising events. Organizers must adhere to specific rules, including obtaining a license for certain activities and using proceeds exclusively for their stated charitable purpose. There are also unlicensed options for smaller, one-off events. The state's gambling laws place strict limits on prize values and the frequency of these events.

Daily Fantasy Sports are illegal in Washington state. The state's legislature has classified DFS as a form of gambling, and due to the broad ban on online gambling, these platforms are not allowed to operate within state borders. Major DFS sites like DraftKings and FanDuel block access to users located in Washington. This is in direct contrast to many other states where DFS is considered a game of skill and is therefore not subject to the same prohibitions as traditional gambling.

Social gambling is permitted in Washington under very specific conditions. These are private games of chance where no one, including the host, makes a profit from the game. Activities like a friendly poker night or sports pools are legal as long as there is no “house cut” or entry fee that benefits the organizer. Public venues are not permitted to host social gambling without a proper license.

Washington has no commercial casinos. All land-based casino gambling is located on tribal lands and operates under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and tribal-state compacts. There are numerous tribal casinos throughout the state, offering slots, table games, and now, retail sports betting. Entry is generally restricted to individuals 21 and older, though some venues may allow those 18 and up to access certain areas, such as the bingo hall. The tribal casinos are co-regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission.