Our Best Washington Sports Betting Offers

 

Is Sports Betting Legal in Washington?

 

Yes. Sports betting is legal in Washington, but it is limited to the reservation lands of federally recognized Native American tribes. Betting is available in both retail and online formats, although most wagering in the state currently takes place in person at tribal casinos.

 

Several casinos have partnered with major operators such as DraftKings and Caesars, allowing patrons to use those sportsbook promo apps while physically on-site. Other casinos operate their own branded sportsbook platforms, enabling bettors to browse odds or build wagers before finalizing them at a kiosk or betting window inside the casino.

 

 

Live and Potential Sportsbook Apps in Washington

 

Because Washington law strictly limits where bets can be placed, most tribes offer sports betting exclusively at their retail casino locations.

 

Many casinos now provide access to their sportsbook partner’s mobile app for use on casino property. In some cases, bettors can build their wagers from home or elsewhere in the state, but the bet must be physically placed at a casino kiosk or betting cage to comply with state law.

 

Below is a list of current sportsbook operators in Washington and their casino partners:

 

• Betfred Sportsbook: Silver Reef Casino Resort

• BetMGM Bonus code Sportsbook: Emerald Queen Casino (Tacoma and Fife)

• Caesars Sportsbook promo code: Chewelah Casino, Muckleshoot Casino, Spokane Tribe Casino

• DraftKings promo code : Quil Ceda Creek Casino, Tulalip Resort Casino

• FanDuel promo code: Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort

• Unibet Sportsbook: Swinomish Casino & Lodge

 

 

Washington Sports Betting Law

 

Sports betting became legal in Washington through the passage of HB 2638. The bill passed both chambers of the Washington Legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee on March 25, 2020.

The first legal sports bet in the state was placed at Snoqualmie Casino, marking the culmination of approximately 18 months of regulatory preparation.

Under the law, each federally recognized Native American tribe in Washington is eligible to offer sports betting on its reservation lands after amending its tribal gaming compact. However, the state’s sports betting framework has faced legal challenges. Maverick Gaming filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of tribal compacts that grant exclusivity to tribes. After losing in District Court, Maverick appealed the decision. The outcome of that case could potentially affect who is allowed to offer sports betting in Washington in the future.

 

 

What Does the Law Allow?

 

Washington law permits both retail and online sports betting, but all wagering activity must occur on tribal lands. This geographic restriction effectively creates a predominantly retail market.

Sportsbooks in Washington may offer wagering on:

 

• Professional sports

• College sports

• Esports

 

However, the law prohibits betting on:

 

• In-state college teams (such as the University of Washington or Washington State University)

• Minor league sporting events

 

As a result, bettors cannot wager on Washington-based college programs, including the Huskies or Cougars.

 

Comparing Washington and Oregon Sports Betting

 

Of the two states bordering Washington, Oregon offers legal sports betting, while Idaho does not. Here’s how Washington compares to its southern neighbor.

Both Washington and Oregon allow retail and online sports betting. However, the structure of each market is very different.

In Washington, only federally recognized Native American tribes may legally offer sports betting, and wagering must take place on tribal lands. The market is tribal-operated and geographically restricted.

In Oregon, sports betting is primarily run through the Oregon Lottery, making it much more of a state-operated system. While tribes in Oregon can offer sports betting at their casinos under their compacts, the majority of online betting in the state flows through the lottery platform.

 

 

Online Sports Betting

 

Oregon offers statewide mobile sports betting through a single app. The original platform, Scoreboard (powered by SBTech), was rebranded and transferred to DraftKings in 2022. Today, DraftKings operates as the only legal statewide sportsbook app in Oregon.

In contrast, Washington technically permits online betting, but all wagers must be placed while the bettor is physically located on tribal lands. This restriction effectively prevents statewide mobile betting.

 

 

Taxes and Revenue Structure

 

Neither state’s sportsbooks pay traditional commercial gaming taxes.

• In Washington, tribes are not required to pay upfront licensing fees or taxes. Instead, participating tribes share regulatory costs associated with operating sports betting.

• In Oregon, because sports betting is operated by the Oregon Lottery, the state does not tax itself. Revenue flows directly through the lottery system.

 

 

Retail Sports Betting Differences

 

Retail availability also differs significantly between the two states.

Washington limits retail sports betting strictly to tribal casinos.

Oregon takes a broader approach. In addition to tribal casino sportsbooks, the state allows sports betting kiosks at approved lottery retailer locations, expanding access beyond casino properties.

 

Popular Sports to Bet on in Washington

 

Washington is home to nearly 8 million residents, creating strong and loyal fanbases across the state. Unsurprisingly, most of the major professional teams are based in Seattle, the state’s largest city and metropolitan area.

 

In many states, major college teams also generate significant betting interest. However, Washington law prohibits wagering on in-state college programs, so those teams are not included below.

 

 

NFL

 

Football is the most popular sport in the United States, and NFL games consistently attract the highest betting volume nationwide - including in Washington.

 

The state is home to one NFL team:

 

• Seattle Seahawks - Lumen Field

 

The Seahawks have a partnership with Snoqualmie Casino, allowing the casino to feature official team branding in promotions and advertising.

 

 

NBA

 

Washington previously had an NBA franchise, the Seattle SuperSonics, but the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. Since then, Seattle and Washington basketball fans have not had a hometown NBA team to support or bet on.

 

 

MLB

 

Major League Baseball maintains strong local support in many of its cities, and Seattle is no exception. The state’s MLB team also draws interest from neighboring states without their own franchises, such as Oregon and Idaho.

 

• Seattle Mariners - T-Mobile Park

 

 

NHL

 

Hockey has grown significantly in popularity in Washington in recent years. The NHL awarded Seattle an expansion franchise, giving the state a new team to rally behind.

 

• Seattle Kraken - Climate Pledge Arena

 

Additionally, the proximity of the Vancouver Canucks, located just across the U.S.-Canada border, likely contributes to a strong regional hockey presence in the Seattle area.

 

 

Other Legal Gambling in Washington

 

Sports betting is not the only form of legal gambling available in Washington. Below is an overview of other gambling options in the state.

 

 

A Word About Online Gambling

 

Before exploring legal options, it’s important to understand what is not permitted.

 

Washington law makes online gambling a felony. According to the Washington State Gambling Commission, “it is a class C felony to knowingly transmit or receive gambling information by telephone, internet, or any other similar means.”

 

A Class C felony in Washington is punishable by:

 

• Up to five years in prison

• A fine of up to $10,000

 

The law defines “gambling information” broadly, including wagers, details about wagers, betting odds, and changes in betting odds. The Commission further clarifies that each individual bet may constitute a separate offense, meaning multiple wagers could result in multiple violations.

 

Because of these strict regulations, Washington does not permit traditional online casino gambling or statewide mobile sportsbooks.

 

 

Casinos

 

The most common places to gamble legally in Washington are tribal and cardroom casinos. In addition to retail sportsbooks at participating locations, many casinos offer:

 

• Slot machines

• Table games

• Poker rooms

 

According to the Washington State Gambling Commission, casino gaming options may include blackjack, red dog, craps, roulette, baccarat (mini, midi, and full size), pai gow poker, Sic-Bo, Big 6, chuck-a-luck, keno, and electronic tribal lottery terminals.

 

If you’re looking for alternatives to sports betting, the following casinos operate in Washington:

 

• 12 Tribes Coulee Dam Casino - Coulee Dam

• 12 Tribes Lake Chelan Casino - Manson

• 12 Tribes Omak Casino Hotel - Omak

• 7 Cedars Casino - Sequim

• Angel of the Winds Casino - Arlington

• Chewelah Casino - Chewelah

• Emerald Queen Casino at I-5 -Tacoma

• EQC at Fife - Fife

• Ilani Casino Resort - Ridgefield

• Kalispel Casino - Cusick

• Legends Casino - Toppenish

• Little Creek Casino Resort - Shelton

• Lucky Dog Casino - Shelton

• Lucky Eagle Casino - Rochester

• Muckleshoot Casino - Auburn

• Northern Quest Casino - Airway Heights

• Northwood Casino - Lynden

• Quil Ceda Creek Casino - Tulalip

• Quinault Beach Resort & Casino - Ocean Shores

• Red Wind Casino - Olympia

• Silver Reef Casino - Ferndale

• Skagit Valley Casino - Bow

• Snoqualmie Casino - Snoqualmie

• Spokane Tribe Casino - Airway Heights

• Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort - Suquamish

• Swinomish Casino & Lodge - Anacortes

• The Point Casino - Kingston

• Tulalip Resort Casino - Tulalip

 

Game availability can vary by location, so it’s a good idea to visit the casino’s website or call ahead if you’re looking for a specific game.

 

 

Card Rooms

 

Public card rooms are another legal gambling option in Washington. Interestingly, state law permits licensed standalone card rooms while prohibiting social card games.

 

Whether card rooms are allowed is determined at the local level, and approximately 70 jurisdictions across Washington have chosen to ban them. Even so, several legal card rooms operate throughout the state.

 

By law, card rooms:

 

• May operate no more than 15 tables

• Are subject to a $400 wagering limit

 

In addition to poker, these venues typically offer house-banked card games such as:

 

• Blackjack

• Ultimate Texas Hold’em

• Three Card Poker

• Four Card Poker

• Pai Gow Poker

 

As with casinos, game availability varies by location. It’s best to check the card room’s website or call ahead if you’re looking for a specific game.

 

On July 20, 2023, the Washington State Gambling Commission voted 3–2 to approve an increase in the wagering limit to $400.

 

 

Horse Racing Betting

 

Washington has two live horse racing tracks and roughly a dozen off-track betting (OTB) locations. Some OTB facilities are located within casinos or card rooms, while others operate inside local bars and restaurants.

 

All licensed locations allow wagering on simulcast races from across the country, including races held at Washington’s two tracks:

 

• Emerald Downs

• Sun Downs

 

Despite the state’s strict stance on online gambling, Washington does allow wagering through licensed online horse racing platforms. Services such as TVG operate legally in the state and provide race broadcasts along with betting options.

 

 

Daily Fantasy Sports

 

There are currently no active daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators in Washington.

 

The state considers DFS to be a game of chance, meaning it falls under the same prohibitions as other forms of online gambling. As a result, participating in DFS contests could expose individuals to the same criminal penalties applied to unlawful online wagering.

 

Even informal activities such as office pools or March Madness bracket contests are technically illegal under Washington law.

 

Washington maintains one of the strictest regulatory approaches to online gambling in the country, especially when compared to the wide range of legal in-person gambling options available within the state.