While we would love to see wide-spread sports betting in Washington, they’re just not there yet.
Will it change over the next few years? We believe so.
For now, here’s what you’re working with in WA.
Current Sportsbooks in Washington
With sports betting in Washington currently limited to only on tribal land, it is important to note exactly what that means. Washington residents that wish to bet on sports will need to be physically located at one of the state’s 30 tribal casinos, with the exception of Snoqualmie Casino (which recently launched its own mobile sports betting app).
While this clearly is not the final outcome Washington state residents were hoping for, as the bill does not allow for mobile betting, the good news is there is no shortage of tribal casinos in the state.
Mobile betting is likely to be added within the next year or two as we believe the state is simply giving the casinos a head start at building an existing player pool.
Below is the complete list of casinos with sportsbooks currently operating in Washington.
| Casino/Sportsbook | Operator | Sports Betting App | Sports Betting Partner | Opening Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel of the Winds Casino in Arlington | Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians | No | IGT | Dec. 2, 2021 |
| Clearwater Casino and Resort in Suquamish | Suquamish Tribe | No | FanDuel | Feb. 5, 2022 |
| Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma | Puyallup Tribe | BETEQC App | BetMGM | Dec. 20, 2021 |
| Muckleshoot Indian Casino in Auburn | Muckleshoot Tribe | No | Caesars | Feb. 10, 2022 |
| Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights | Kalispel Tribe of Indians | No | IGT | Dec. 6, 2021 |
| Quil Ceda Creek Casino in Tulalip | Tulalip Tribes | DraftKings Sportsbook | DraftKings | Sept. 20, 2022 |
| Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie | Snoqualmie Indian Tribe | Snoqualmie Casino App | IGT | Sept. 10, 2021 |
| Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip | Tulalip Tribes | DraftKings Sportsbook | DraftKings | Sept. 20, 2022 |
It’s worth noting that there are several other casinos throughout Washington state such as the Clearwater Casino and Resort in Suquamish and Elwha River Casino in Port Angeles but they don’t currently offer sports betting.
Sports Betting Legislation in Washington
Washington became the 21st US state to legalize sports betting on March 25th, 2020. Governor Jay Inslee signed a sports betting bill into law, allowing sportsbooks to open at tribal casinos throughout Washington.
While this is great news for sports bettors in the Evergreen State, unfortunately, online sports betting is limited. We would love to see major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel in the state, however, they don’t have an online presence (of their own) just yet. They are, however, partnered with some of the current tribes.
We assume there is lobbying going on by the tribes to maintain a monopoly over the sports betting scene and preventing the proliferation we’ve seen in states like Tennessee, and Arkansas. However, that doesn’t mean other forces aren’t working behind the scenes to open up the sports betting to other big players like Bet365 and FanDuel.
When there are additional developments to the sports betting legislation in Washington state we’ll be sure to keep you updated.
- January 2021: Introduction of SB 5212, aiming to expand sportsbooks to include cardrooms and racetracks, but encounters tribal opposition.
- March 26, 2020: Governor Jay Inslee signs HB 2638 into law, legalizing sports betting within tribal casinos.
- January 16, 2020: HB 2638 is introduced and swiftly progresses through the legislative process.
- December 2019: Completion of a comprehensive study to inform the 2020 bill.
- August 2019: Start of hearings by the Washington State Gambling Commission on gambling expansion.
- February 2019: HB 1975 is introduced, proposing tribal casinos operate sportsbooks.
What Gets Washington Residents Excited About Sports Betting
Sure, the options might be limited, but that doesn’t take away from the excitement of placing a bet in the Evergreen State. Here are a few reasons sports bettors are pumped for betting and why we think we’ll see betting expansion in the state.
- Seattle Seahawks. Known for their passionate fan base and strong performances, making them a favorite for futures and game-day bets. Think the 12th man wants to place a bet?
- Seattle Mariners. With a history of ups and downs, they offer unpredictability that can be appealing for bettors looking for value.
- Seattle Sounders FC. A successful MLS team with a loyal following, offering exciting opportunities for soccer betting.
- Seattle Kraken. As a relatively new team, they bring fresh excitement and speculative betting opportunities to the NHL landscape. Their fanbase grows each year and yet another reason sports betting should expand.
- Seattle Storm. With multiple championships, they’re a powerhouse in women’s basketball, attracting bets on their consistently strong performances. Championships bring in more bets which could be more revenue for Washington.
There are plenty of other reasons, but these teams have a solid draw and fanbase supporting them.
Washington Sports Betting FAQs
Below are answers to the questions we receive most often regarding legal sports betting in the state of Washington. We keep these questions updated daily with the current gambling laws in WA.
Is sports betting legal in Washington?
In Washington, sports betting is limited to the state’s tribal casinos. All bets must take place on tribal lands and mobile sports betting is only allowed via a tribe’s app while the bettor is physically in the casino.
Is mobile sports betting legal in Washington?
Only while you’re physically located inside a tribal casino.
Are FanDuel and DraftKings available in Washington?
Yes, you can play daily fantasy sports on FanDuel and DraftKings in the state of Washington. The FanDuel sportsbook and DraftKings sportsbook are not yet available, but will likely enter the market once the state legalizes mobile sports betting.
What sports can you bet on in Washington?
Washington residents are able to bet on every major sport including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, major college sports, UFC, boxing, and more. That being said, Washington residents are not allowed to bet on the local college sports teams.
What bet types can you place in Washington?
You can place every type of bet in the state of Washington. This includes straight bets, totals, spreads, props, parlays, and teasers.
What is the current legal gambling age?
The legal gambling age is 18 in the state of Washington. That being said, if the tribal casino and sportsbook serve alcohol, the legal age changes to 21.
