Online Gambling in Washington: Is it Legal to Gamble?

Greetings from Washington State, where you’ll find the backdrop of verdant evergreen forests, the pulse of grunge music, and…alternatives to the unconstitutional online gambling we were once promised. If you’re a Washington State resident or just among those fortunate to visit this breathtaking Pacific Northwest locale, there are numerous opportunities to legally gamble—a stark contrast to the mid-2000s when even more gambling options vanished from this otherwise lucky state.

So what does the legal gambling scene look like across the land of the Evergreen in 2025? And is it more generous with access to online gambling than it was a few years back?

The Gambling Landscape in Washington: What’s Permissible and What’s Prohibited? Of all the U.S. states, Washington has some of the most tightly controlled gambling laws, which means there are a ton of legitimate opportunities to try your hand at fortune. Here’s what you can find:

1. The State Lottery Since its inception, Washington’s lottery has been a hit with the people of the state. You can find it everywhere! If you’re into scratchers, Powerball, or daily games, like the Match 4, you’re in luck—because those are all part of what the state offers.
2. Horse Racing (Pari-Mutuel Betting) Satisfaction guaranteed for those who enjoy fast-paced action as they head off to one of Washington State’s vibrant tracks, like Emerald Downs, to wager on heart-stopping thoroughbred races. The pulse-pounding thrill is almost unmatched, whether you are an experienced bettor making smart decisions or a wide-eyed novice trying to process all the simultaneous happenings and sounds associated with a racetrack.
3. Tribal and Commercial Casinos Between the state’s tribal and commercial casinos, there’s no shortage of opportunities to cut loose and play, mostly on table games and with the kind of slot machines that resemble video games more than any slots that came before them.
4. Social Poker Nights (But Keep Them Social) Though Washington State has stringent laws against online gambling, it is not illegal to host a low-stakes home game of poker. So long as you don’t have dealers, are not using fancy cards, and are not making a business out of it, low-stakes poker can be a fun and legal way to socialize.

Web-based wagering is a hefty gray area in Washington state, and in reality, the state passed the first legislation in the U.S. in 2006 to outlaw web-based wagering. The law (Section 9.46.240) states that anyone sending or receiving web-based wagering info can be convicted of a Class C felony. Yes, that’s as hefty as it sounds. The intention was to nab the illegal online casino operators, but in reality, the law covers the players too. Don’t be tempted to go online to nancy your dice. It’s a felony.

In 2010, the law faced a major challenge from the Alliance of Poker Players. So, don’t expect any changes soon. The short version: For now, it’s only the physical casinos where you can legally play. “Gambling Options in Washington State: A Quick Recap”: In summary, here’s what you’re able to risk and possibly win while staying on the right side of the law:

• Your friendly Lottery, including Powerball, scratch tickets, and all the other not-so-secret ways to lose a couple of bucks every week;
• Horse racing, which can be enjoyed live at Emerald Downs or through simulcast in numerous (legal) betting rooms;
• Several tribal and commercial casinos, which augur the imminent arrival of some sort of street-level gaming throughout the state;
• And then there are your “home games,” which are almost legal if you keep things social and mom-friendly.

Did you know that in 1889, Washington had a strict anti-gambling constitution? Since then, the state has warmed up to gambling, for the most part. Horse racing was first legalized in 1933, followed by card rooms in 1974. The state has also allowed tribal and commercial casinos, with tribal casinos starting in 1988 and commercial casinos opening in 2002. And when it comes to poker, Washington has produced a few legends, like Ralph “Rep” Porter and Scott “BigRiskky” Clements, who have made millions at the World Series of Poker. Maybe there’s a future poker champ reading this right now!

Washington’s gambling laws are in a constant state of flux, and for the gambling public, that can either be a good or a bad thing. Required by the U.S. The Department of Justice to come up to date with the Internet age, the state of Washington made plans in 2013 to decriminalize online gambling once and for all. But nothing is said, and in fact, very little, if anything, seems to happen. Meanwhile, in News That Should Really Surprise No One, a Spokane (a small town in Washington), man gets busted in 2010 for running an illegal NASCAR betting operation masquerading as a “nonprofit.” I guess it’s a matter of “don’t get caught” situation.

So, what’s the bottom line? Washington State may be one of the most controlled gambling environments in the country, but it’s not a gambling desert. If you’re going to participate in any form of potentiated game of chance, just as a friendly warning, stick to state-regulated options that are very much above board. That’s the lottery, horse racing, casino-style games, and poker with friends in your living room.