Online gambling FAQ

Can I gamble online in Washington?

No. Washington law prohibits any online gambling by and it is a class C felony to knowingly transmit or receive gambling information by telephone, internet, or any other similar means.

What is gambling information?

The term “gambling information” includes any wager made, information as to wagers, betting odds, and changes in betting odds. Thus, any time a party places a bet on a sporting or any other event, plays an online version of a card or table game in which something of value is waged, or purchases a raffle ticket online, both the party making the wager and accepting the wager have violated the law.

How do I know if what I am doing online is gambling?

“Gambling” in Washington, requires all three of the following elements to be present: 1) staking something of value as consideration, 2) on the outcome of a contest of chance or a future event, 3) upon the agreement that a prize will be awarded in the event of a certain outcome. If you are wagering money or something else of value on an online game of chance for the opportunity to win a prize of value. Then you are online gambling and it is unlawful and subject to penalties under the Gambling Act you are prohibited from doing this online in Washington.

A website is advertising a gambling activity that they claim is legal in Washington, what should I do?

There are many persons and businesses on the internet that purposefully or unintentionally misrepresent Washington State Gambling Laws in order to drive your business, for monetary gain, to an affiliated illegal internet gambling website. To report a website promoting online gambling, you may submit an anonymous tip here. If you have any questions about whether a specific activity or website is authorized, you can email the Gambling Commission or call us at (800) 345-2529.

However, you are violating Washington State law if you knowingly gamble through an online gambling website .