Washington Online Sports Betting Guide 2024
With a population size of around eight million, there is plenty of interest in sports betting in the state of Washington. But is online sports betting legal in Washington?
That is the hot topic at the heart of this article, in which we’ll reveal the legal status of wagering in WA and where, if allowed, you can bet. By the end of this guide, you’ll know everything you need to know about Washington sports betting – including how to place your first bet in the Evergreen State.
So let’s get started and discover all there is to know about online sports betting in the WA state!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- The legal status of sports betting in Washington.
- Learn about the best places to wager in WA.
- Discover whether you can legally bet online or on mobile.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Washington?
At the time of writing, if you were to ask the question “How many states have legalized sports betting?”, the answer would be 38. Out of those, Washington has, arguably, the most confusing sports betting laws.
But still, sports betting is legal in Washington. Governor Jay Inslee signed off on the Washington sports betting bill, HB 2638, in March 2020, although there would be a delay until September before the people of the Evergreen State could place their first wagers.
All sports betting in Washington must take place at one of the licensed casino operations in the state, of which there are nearly 20 different options. At the time of writing, bettors can place their wagers online too, however only the Snoqualmie Casino offered a dedicated sportsbook app.
Keep your eyes peeled for the latest Washington sports betting news to see if this situation changes.
- May 2018: The federal ban on sports betting is lifted.
- January 2020: House Bill 2638 is first presented to the House.
- March 2020: Gov. Inslee signs off on the bill.
- September 2021: The Snoqualmie Tribe welcomes sports betting at its tribal casino.
- September 2021: FanDuel becomes the sports betting partner of the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort.
- December 2021: Snoqualmie Casino becomes the first Washington casino to accept on-site mobile bets.
- January 2024: House Bill 1639 and Senate Bill 5587 launched in latest legislative session, hoping to bring sports betting to racetracks and card rooms.
Fun fact: The first sports bet ever placed in Washington came from Seattle’s NBA legend Shawn ‘Reign Man’ Kemp! He wagered on the Seahawks to beat the Indianapolis Colts – which they did, by a scoreline of 28-16.
10 Quick Facts About Washington’s Sports Betting Laws
Curious to learn more about Washington sports betting? Here are ten quick facts:
- Washington Law: The Washington sports betting legislation actually falls into line with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which governs how wagering can be done within tribal lands. The House Bill 2368 also allows for legal sports betting in WA within those tribal casinos.
- Legal Age: The legal minimum age to bet in Washington is 21. You will be asked for identification by casino staff if you look to be younger than 21, while any online sportsbook sites/apps that you use will also verify your age and identity.
- State Borders: Washington is bordered by two US states: Idaho and Oregon. Idaho has not legalized online or in-person sports betting, but Oregon has legalized both! In Washington, you must be located on authorized tribal casino land to wager on sports in person or online. You don’t have to be a permanent resident of WA, however.
- Retail Bookmakers: Several tribal casinos on Washington state soil have partnered with a recognized sportsbook brand to offer a retail bookmaker. Others have adopted their own ‘independent’ approach.
- Sports Betting Taxes: There is no state-level gambling tax in Washington. However, you will be subject to federal taxation of 25% on your winnings.
- Online Betting: You can legally bet online in Washington. However, you must be on the grounds of the Snoqualmie Casino. There’s hope that more casinos will add a mobile sports betting app in the future.
- College Sports Betting: You can bet on college sports in Washington, however wagering on schools in the Evergreen State is prohibited. Otherwise, you can bet on NCAA football, basketball, baseball, and so on.
- Betting Markets: All the most popular betting markets are available in Washington. That includes moneyline, spreads, and totals, as well as team and player props, quarter/half betting, and futures lines.
- Betting Brands: Some casinos in Washington have partnered with the leading sports betting brands, so they have sportsbooks powered by the likes of Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and British firm Betfred. Others, like the Little Creek Casino and Ilani Casino Resort, run their own sportsbook independently.
- Responsible Gambling: The Washington State Gambling Commission oversees the activities of sportsbooks in WA, and one of the things they ensure is that the book offers responsible gambling tools to its players, such as timeouts and longer periods of self-exclusion.
How to Bet on Sports in Washington
Due to the nature of Washington sports betting and its in-person requirement, your options for wagering on sports in WA may largely be determined by your location. But even so, there are some simple rules to follow when betting on sports in Washington.
My personal experience is derived from two casinos in the Evergreen State – Snoqualmie and the FanDuel sportsbook at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino, but you should follow the same steps, no matter where you choose to wager:
- Select your sportsbook: This may, ultimately, be a ‘local’ decision based upon where you are in WA. But if you want to wager using a dedicated sportsbook app, you will need to head for the Snoqualmie Casino; the only legal mobile wagering site in the state.
- Create an account: You don’t need an online account to bet on sports in Washington; simply head for the retail sportsbook of your choice. But if you do want to wager on your mobile device while on the grounds of Snoqualmie, you’ll need to create an account – this takes just a few moments and requires a few personal details.
- Make a deposit: If you choose to bet online, you can only deposit funds into your Snoqualmie account using cash at the desk. I found the team to be very helpful, and the process was quick and seamless.
- Start betting: Once you have a live, verified, and funded account, you can begin your betting journey in Washington! Cycle through the A-Z of sports, select a game and then browse the huge array of odds and lines you can wager on.
Top Washington Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Accessing the best Washington sports betting sites is, evidently, the easiest way to ensure your wagering experience in WA goes easily. Happily, the Snoqualmie Casino app delivers exactly that, even if it’s frustrating that there’s a lack of choice in the state.
The Snoqualmie Casino app has a user-friendly interface where you can simply pick your sport, bet, and wager on the event, player, or game you wish. With competitive odds, the app offers a great online sports betting experience. And, if you experience any issues, there’s a great support team on hand to help you with any queries.
There are hopes that more sportsbook apps will be launched in the Evergreen State soon. When they are, we’ll soon update you with the Washington sports betting sites available.
Popular Sports and Teams in Washington’s Betting Scene
There’s no doubt that local pride plays a part in how we bet. Shawn Kemp placed the first legal sports bet in Washington’s history on the Seahawks, and I often wager on the Trail Blazers or the Kraken to win. Whether that’s a well-thought-out bet or mere local pride talking!
The good news is that there’s no shortage of elite sports teams in Washington to get behind.
Seattle Seahawks
Washington’s NFL representative comes in the shape of the Seattle Seahawks, who delivered one of the state’s finest sporting days in 2014 when they won Super Bowl XLVIII. A regular in the postseason playoffs, betting on the Seahawks has served WA natives well recently.
Seattle Kraken
They may have only played their inaugural NHL season in 2021-22, but the Seattle Kraken have already made substantial moves. In 2023, they defeated the reigning Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs; a rare early success for an expansion franchise.
Seattle Mariners
It’s true that the Seattle Mariners hold an unwanted record: they are the only active MLB franchise never to have competed in the World Series game. However, baseball fans in Washington can still enjoy high-grade action at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park.
Seattle Storm
Success has been in plentiful supply for the Seattle Storm, the women’s basketball franchise that has claimed four WNBA championships since 2004 alone – filling the void left by the now-defunct NBA team Seattle SuperSonics.
Seattle Sounders
A two-time winner of the MLS Cup, Seattle Sounders are the premier soccer team in Washington. They achieved continental glory in 2022 when winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
College Sports
College sport is another popular betting option in Washington, although – as the law dictates – you won’t be able to wager on any of WA’s colleges. That being said, if you want to follow along with their results, check out:
- Three-time National Championship winners Seattle Redhawks
- The Eastern Washington Eagles
There’s no shortage of famous sportsmen and women with a Washington connection too:
- John Stockton: Nine-time NBA All-Star
- Ryne Sandberg: Ten-time MLB All Star
- Nathan Adrian: Five-time swimming Olympic gold medalist
- Fred Couples: Former world number one golfer
- Drew Bledsoe: Super Bowl winner
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
When you look at the attendance at the home games of Washington sports teams, it becomes obvious that proud locals are going to have an impact on the sports betting lines. Nearly 550,000 people attended Seattle Seahawks’ home games in 2023-24!
One of the interesting things for bettors to decide is whether that partisan support pushes the betting lines too short in the direction of Washington’s teams, i.e., will you bet against the public money?
We are all in danger of being swept along by local pride – I’ve bet on the Seahawks and the Kraken at times when perhaps that wasn’t the value play. So being proud of WA’s sports teams is fine… Just don’t let it impact your wagering decisions!
Upcoming Events
The beauty of the sporting calendar is that there’s always something going on all year round. Whether you want to bet on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, or any other sport, there’s a strong chance that there will be games that you can wager on today, tomorrow, and in the future.
We’ll update this section with the upcoming event schedule very soon.
Are There More Gambling Options in Washington?
As the sports betting laws in Washington are fairly strict, you perhaps won’t be surprised to learn that gambling options in the state are thin on the ground.
- Casino Gaming: There are around 20 different casinos in Washington at which you can legally play slots, blackjack, roulette, and a host of other games. However, remember that online gambling is illegal; it’s very much in-person only in WA.
- Horse Racing: Wagering on horse racing is legal in Washington, be it live races, simulcast, or off-track. However, you’ll still need to be present at the racetrack or a licensed casino in person.
- Poker: Online poker is prohibited in the state of Washington, while the law allows for ‘social’ games of in-person poker but not ‘professional’ – that is, where there are cash prizes up for grabs.
- Daily Fantasy: Unfortunately, daily fantasy sports are prohibited in Washington, as lawmakers see them as being the same as online sports betting.
Maximizing Your Bets in Washington
In this Washington sports betting guide, we’ve discovered that wagering is legal in WA when you frequent one of the licensed casinos. But before you head off and start placing your bets, there are some tips and strategies that might help you to get better at sports betting.
These are some things I wish I had known before I started wagering!
Tips and Strategies for Washington Bettors
- Do your research: Look beyond standings. Check home/away splits, current form, strength of schedule, and player availability. Context over gut instinct is key.
- Understand value: Sportsbooks build in a margin. Seek out bets where the odds match the probable outcome. Be cautious with parlays due to higher risks.
- Manage your money: Bet small portions of your bankroll to extend your betting lifespan and withstand losing streaks.
Understanding Taxes and Payouts
One of the real perks of Washington sports betting is that you won’t have to pay any state-level tax on your wagering activity. However, the IRS considers profit from sports betting to be taxable income, so you may have to pay tax at the federal level.
These scenarios are:
- Where you win $600+ and 300+ times your stake
- Where your net profit is $5,000 or more
Learn more about how taxes work on sports betting winnings by reading our guide.
What About Physical Sports Betting Locations?
As we’ve learned, the only way to wager in Washington is to be present at a physical sports betting location – even if you wish to bet online, you’ll still need to visit one of the licensed tribal casinos.
The good news is that there are around 20 of these spread across the state. I’ve frequented many of them, with the Snoqualmie and Suquamish Clearwater properties among my favorites – I found the sportsbooks here to be very professional, with generous odds and many ways to watch the action live.
And I’m not the only one – one Snoqualmie visitor left a very positive review:
Great casino. Great atmosphere, and food… Great variety of games…
A Snoqualmie visitor
Another reviewer called Suquamish Clearwater a “Great resort and casino” – so rest assured they are some of the best physical betting options in Washington.
Should you find yourself in Tacoma, I can also recommend the Emerald Queen Casino – their independent sportsbook takes its odds from BetMGM, who tend to be one of the lower vig brands for many sports and markets.
So, Will You Bet From Washington Tonight?
After reading our Washington sports betting update, you know you can wager on sports with confidence in the Evergreen State. You can now head to your preferred casino and begin wagering; remembering to use the tips and strategies I detailed above.
Still wondering how to make the most out of sports betting? Visit our 101 betting section for plenty of smart advice and help.
