The Licensing Unit is available to answer questions via phone at 360-486-3441 or email us at Licensing@wsgc.wa.gov Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

We are available for in person visits to our headquarters in Lacey by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment please call or email us.

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Applicants for a gambling license undergo criminal and financial background investigations to help ensure only qualified persons operate gambling activities. Licensing investigations for organizations typically take about 120 - 150 days to complete.

Online applications

If you are registered for SecureAccess Washington (SAW), you can apply online for the following activities

• Raffle

• Electronic Raffle

• Fund-Raising Event (FRE)

• Recreational Gaming Activity (RGA)

• Sports Wagering Vendor (major, mid-level, and ancillary).

To apply for a license online, follow the steps below

1. Log into SAW (secureaccess.wa.gov).

2. Add Washington State Gambling Commission as a service.

3. Go to ‘MyAccount’ in SAW to apply for your license.

Learn how to register for SAW

 

Paper applications

If not applying online, choose if you are an individual, commercial organization, or a nonprofit organization. 

How the licensing process works

Gambling License Certification Program (GC5-139) brochure (PDF, 263 KB)

It is the responsibility of each applicant and licensee to establish through clear and convincing evidence they qualify for a license. It is your responsibility to prove your qualifications. It is not the responsibility of the commission to prove your qualifications.

After we receive your application, a licensing file is created and a Licensing Specialist is assigned to review and evaluate your application. A Special Agent may be assigned to conduct a criminal background check and to investigate the source of the money used in your gambling business. Investigations may involve local police as well as state, federal, national, and international authorities to ensure all person that have a substantial interest in a gambling business are qualified to be licensed.

A copy of your application may be forwarded to the Special Agent assigned to your area. The agent may contact you to inspect your business site.

You may also be contacted during the licensing process to determine your eligibility to hold a license. We may request additional information such as leases, corporate papers, by-laws, purchase agreements, financial statements, criminal history statements, personal information forms, fingerprints, etc.

Once the investigative process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you qualify for a license.

Reasons for denial, suspension, or revocation of your application, license, or permit

• any felony conviction in the past 10 years
• outstanding warrants
• probation or community supervision
• forgery
• larceny (theft)
• extortion
• conspiracy to defraud
• willful failure to make payments to a governmental agency at any level
• the filing of false reports
• bribery
• unlawfully influencing a public official
• any crimes involving gambling
• physical harm to an individual (assault)
• protection order violations
• moral turpitude (a crime against the norm of society)
• excessive court ordered fines and fees in collection
• failure to disclose your criminal or administrative history, including juvenile cases.

Learn more information on reasons for denial, suspension, or revocation (app.leg.wa.gov)

If your application is approved, a license will be available to print within 24 hours of approval through your SAW MyAccount.

If your application is denied, you will be provided with an explanation. The most common reasons for denial are insufficient information, failure to pay the proper fees, or issues discovered during the criminal or financial background investigations.

You may supply additional information to prove your suitability or you may voluntarily withdraw your application. If you do not respond to requests from staff for additional information, we may close your file. If you do not pass our criminal or financial backgrounds checks, you may request an administrative hearing to explain your circumstances to an administrative law judge.

Fingerprinting information

Along with your application, you are required to submit a fingerprint card. You may be fingerprinted at our Lacey office or you may go to your local law enforcement agency (city police or county sheriff).

Fingerprint Instructions (PDF, 356 KB)

Fingerprinting at our office

We are available for fingerprinting services at our headquarters in Lacey by appointment only. We are located at 4565 7th Avenue SE, Lacey, WA 98503. To schedule an appointment please call 360-486-3441 or email us at Licensing@wsgc.wa.gov.

• We only fingerprint gambling license applicants and / or substantial interest holders
• Only the person being fingerprinted is allowed in the fingerprint room. Children must be supervised at all times
• Animals are not allowed, except those covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Make sure your hands are clean and dry prior to being fingerprinted (no lotion). If your hands are bleeding, have open wounds, or any fingers are bandaged, we are unable to roll your prints
• Valid identification is required at the time of printing
• It takes approximately 20 minutes and there is a $16 fee. This fee is non-refundable and paid prior to being printed. We do not accept credit or debit cards
• Neither the fingerprints nor the results will be returned to you.

Fingerprinting at your local law enforcement office

• Make sure that the top portion of the card is filled in correctly
• The fingerprint card must be submitted by mail with your completed application along with the appropriate fee(s)
  • Mailing address 
    Washington State Gambling Commission
    PO Box 42400
    Olympia WA 98504-2400
  • For Fed Ex / UPS overnight packages ONLY 
    Washington State Gambling Commission
    4565 7th Avenue SE
    Lacey WA 98503
• Once received, the fingerprint card is sent to the Washington State Identification Section of the Washington State Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington DC, and any other jurisdiction deemed necessary to determine the qualification of each applicant.

Applicant notification and record challenge

Your fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FBI. You will be given reasonable time to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information contained in the FBI identification record, if needed. The procedure for obtaining a change, correction, or updating a FBI identification record are set forth in Title 28, CFR, 16.34. Please contact us to discuss a reasonable timeframe.

FBI Privacy Act Statement

If you have any questions or would like to obtain your fingerprint card, call 1-800-345-2529 (toll-free) or 360-486-3441.

Training requirements

You are required to complete training within 30 days if you signed a licensing application, are a manager, or are responsible for conducting gambling activities or completing the records.

Please select your license type

• Profit-seeking business training requirements
• Nonprofit organization training requirements
• Employee training requirements.

Report changes during the application process

This information is to assist applicants with their reporting timelines. This table should not be used in place of the Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) cited below. Applicants are responsible for knowing and following all WACs and Revised Codes of Washington (RCWs).

Pre-licensing or application process

	WAC Reference	10 Days	30 Days	Other
FRE Equipment Distributors	WAC 230-03-010			Monthly schedule of RGA contracts
Incomplete application	WAC 230-03-035		X
Additional information required from applicants for licensing	WAC 230-03-050		X	Or within the timeframe we provide
Changes to information required on application or provided during application process	WAC 230-03-055	X
Complete training	WAC 230-03-070		X
Information required under commission rules	WAC 230-03-085(8)		X	Or within the timeframe we provide
Service Supplier Representative must report conflicts of interest	WAC 230-03-340			See rule