Licensing requirements for a commercial business

Learn about the additional documents you need to submit with your commercial business application depending on your business structure.

Contingency sales

If you are buying a business that is currently operating gambling activities, you cannot operate under the seller's license. You may accomplish a sale so there is no break in gambling activity through a “contingency” sale contract, where the sale is contingent on you getting a new gambling license. You will need to apply for your own license.

If you close the sale without fulfilling the contingency clause, which states you must qualify for your liquor or gambling license, you forfeit the contingency and cannot conduct gambling until we approve your license.

Documents needed and who needs to submit

You must submit clean and legible documents for all substantial interest holders and their spouses. Sports wagering applicants and publicly traded companies do not need to provide spouse information unless they are an owner or officer.

A substantial interest holder is a person who has actual or potential influence over the management or operation of any organizations. Examples are:

  • owning, operating, managing, or controlling an entity
  • profiting from an entity
  • assuming liability for debts or expenditures of the entity
  • being an officer, director or managing member

Learn who we consider to be a substantial interest holder (app.leg.wa.gov)

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS NEEDED

SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP

LIMTED OR GENERAL PARTNERSHIP

LLC

CORPORATION

A Personal / Criminal History Statement (BLS-700-301).

X

X

X

X

A copy of valid identification (ex: driver’s license, state ID, or passport).

X

X

X

X

Copies of any civil, criminal or administrative action.

X

X

X

X

A Financial Statement (GC4-320) for each individual and business (provided).

X

X

X

X

A Source of Funds Statement (GC4-321) for each individual and business along with documents proving where the financial sources came from. Examples are:

  • loan agreement
  • promissory note
  • purchase / sales agreement
  • closing documents
  • other sales documents
  • copies of your personal / business bank statements for the last 12 months
  • copies of your personal / business IRS tax statements

X

X

X

X

If the funds were not from a federal or state recognized financial institution such as a relative or friend, then each person must complete a Personal / Criminal History Statement (BLS-700-301), a Financial Statement (GC4-320) and a Source of Funds Statement (GC4-321) with supporting documents.

X

X

X

X

Fingerprinting required if lived out-of-state for more than 6 months in the past 10 years (GC5-231, GC5-232, and GC5-029).

X

X

X

X

Ownership / Organization Disclosure (GC4-021).

 

X

X

X

Partnership agreement listing each partner, managing partners and dissolution procedures.

 

X

 

 

LLC agreement listing managing member, units issued, purpose, duration, capital, distributions and member withdrawal procedures.

 

 

X

 

LLC Certificate of Formation with verification it has been recorded with the Washington Secretary of State’s Office.

 

 

X

 

Articles of Incorporation listing name, officers, stockholders, stock authorized to issue, and verification it has been recorded with the Washington Secretary of State’s Office.

 

 

 

X

Meeting minutes showing issuance of stock and election of officers.

 

 

 

X