About the Electronic Gambling Lab

Learn about our Electronic Gambling Lab, where vendors can have their equipment tested and approved as gambling equipment for Washington State house banked card rooms, authorized electronic raffle locations, and tribal casinos.

EGL was created in 1998 as part of our regulatory program setup included in Appendix X. Appendix X outlines the technical and regulatory standards for the Tribal Lottery Systems that operate in tribal casinos in Washington State. Although EGL initially only reviewed and approved Tribal Lottery Systems, they now are our technical experts on all electronic gambling equipment in Washington State.

EGL operations

You should schedule all visits, including equipment deliveries, in advance to ensure we are present to escort and assist you. We work a hybrid schedule, so there is not always someone on site. Appointments can be scheduled by emailing EGL@wsgc.wa.gov or contacting EGL's lead engineer for your system.

Our roles and responsibilities

  • Test commercial and tribal gambling equipment and software submitted by licensed manufacturers
  • Verify compliance of Tribal Lottery Systems with Compact and Appendix X2 requirements
  • Verify compliance of electronic gambling equipment with associated RCW and WAC rules
  • Identify potential risk in systems, software and physical security
  • Develop training for Tribal Gaming Agents and WSGC Agents on approved gambling equipment and Tribal Lottery Systems in Washington State
  • Assist WSGC and Tribal Gaming Agents with security reviews at casinos in Washington State
  • Provide expert level knowledge of approved Tribal Lottery Systems during the investigation of any issue or complaint in the field
  • Liaison to Independent test labs, tribes, states, staff, and the public

What electronic gambling equipment is

Electronic gambling equipment is any device, gambling related software or paraphernalia used as part of gambling or to make gambling possible.

  • Amusement Games
  • Punch boards and pull-tabs
  • Devices for dispensing pull-tabs
  • Electronic devices for conducting, facilitating, or accounting for the results of gambling activities
  • Bingo equipment
  • Devices and supplies used to conduct card games, fund-raising events, recreational gaming activities, or Class III gaming activities
  • Debit card reading devices used at gambling tables to sell chips to players
  • Ticket in tick out systems.

You can review Washington Administrative Code 230-03-200 (leg.wa.gov) for additional details on the definition of gambling equipment.