Apply for your license
What you can find on this page
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.
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
-
Log into SAW (secureaccess.wa.gov).
-
Add Washington State Gambling Commission as a service.
-
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.
You must be actively employed or sponsored by a licensed card room or vendor before applying for an individual license. The card room or vendor will submit the application on your behalf. Choose the application for the position for which you are applying. Choose the application for the activity you would like to offer. If you are currently licensed for a gambling activity and would like to offer an additional activity, fill out the application under ‘Add an activity’. Need to add an activity to your current commercial business license? Select the activity below. Choose the application for the activity you would like to offer. If you are currently licensed for a gambling activity and would like to offer an additional activity, fill out the application under ‘Add an activity’. Need to add an activity to your current charitable / nonprofit license? Select the activity below.Individual
Commercial business
Add an activity
Charitable / nonprofit organization
Add an activity
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 CommissionPO Box 42400Olympia WA 98504-2400
- For Fed Ex / UPS overnight packages ONLY
Washington State Gambling Commission4565 7th Avenue SELacey WA 98503
- Mailing address
- 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.
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 |