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Activities we regulate
Learn how we keep gambling legal and honest through in-depth audits, rule-making, regulating licensed activities, and enforcing gambling laws throughout the state of Washington.
How we keep gambling legal and honest
Through collaboration with local, state, federal, tribal, and international law enforcement agencies, we work to fulfill our legislative declaration of:
- Keeping the criminal element out of gambling
- Promoting social welfare through strict regulation and control.
Our special agents are commissioned law enforcement officers who attend the Basic Law Enforcement Academy and receive the same training as other police officers. Many agents are certified fraud examiners and some are certified public accountants.
Gambling activities we regulate
We enforce state gambling laws and rules for licensed activities such as card games, bingo, amusement games, punch boards/pull-tabs, nonprofit raffles, and fund-raising events. Our agents also enforce laws for gambling activities that don’t require a license, including sports pool boards and promotional contests of chance.
We conduct in-depth audits, on-site checks, and undercover investigations to ensure that gambling is legal and honest. Our criminal investigations include crimes such as theft, elder abuse, fraud, internet gambling, cheating, bookmaking, animal fighting, embezzlement, money laundering, and loansharking.
Choose the activity below to learn more.
Commercial businesses
Bingo at agricultural fairs ONLY permit (commercial)
Card games (nonhouse-banked, class F, and house-banked)
Distributor of equipment and supplies
Fund-raising event equipment distributor
Manufacturer of equipment and supplies
Manufacturer's special sales permit
Punch board / pull-tab operator
Punch board / pull-tab service business permit
Service supplier (example: consulting and other services)
Sports wagering vendor licensing or sports wagering activities
Charitable or nonprofit organizations
Agricultural fair to operate bingo, raffles, amusement games
Bingo at agricultural fairs ONLY permit (charitable or nonprofit)
Combination: bingo, raffle, amusement games, and card games with no fee
Fund-raising event equipment distributor
Punch board / pull-tab operator
Raffles, excluding electronic and enhanced raffles
Individuals
Card room employee (example: dealer)
Charitable / nonprofit gambling manager
Enhance raffle call center representative