Legal Washington Sports Betting

What Washington Sports Teams Can I Bet On?

Washington is filled with sports teams to bet on. Aside from the known professional ones, betting on Washington colleges and minor league teams is possible too. Legal Washington sportsbooks will not accept bets on local colleges. But, bettors can bypass this by using an online sportsbook that accepts Washington players. This helps in getting the full experience, Keep in mind, legal sportsbooks in Washington will offer odds on teams from around the world.

List Of Popular Washington Teams

Betting On The NFL In Washington

The best odds for betting on the Seattle Seahawks are available at the tribal casinos this NFL season. Statewide mobile and online betting are available at online sportsbooks as well, these sites offer some of the best odds. Betting fans can find futures odds on the Seattle Seahawks to win the Super Bowl – although they’re much longer without Russell Wilson. There are also odds available for Seattle’s total passing yards and passing TDs. There is no shortage of betting action for local Washington betting fans thanks to these legal online sportsbooks. Now is the best time to get in on these NFL betting lines via online sportsbooks.

Super Bowl Betting In Washington

The Super Bowl is the biggest betting event of the year for anyone wagering on sports in Washington,and the best place to bet on it is via online sportsbooks. These books, such as Bovada, are available via both mobile devices and computers, and this widespread availability makes them a top Super Bowl betting option. You’ll be able to place wagers on every aspect of the Super Bowl, from irreverent props on the Halftime Show to the most specific player yardage O/Us.

Seattle Seahawks Betting In Washington

The Seattle Seahawks were one of the most successful franchises in the past decade, going 114-62-1 over that time, but appear to be going through a rebuild following the trade of Russell Wilson and the release of franchise stalwart Bobby Wagner. The new generation of Seattle Seahawks may be poised to lead bettors to plenty of success though, with DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker, and Charles Cross all poised for success over the coming years. Betting on the Seahawks can be done at legal NFL sportsbooks such as Bovada, BetOnline, and SportsBetting, all of which are known for offering a wide assortment of bets on the Seahawks.

Horse Racing Betting In Washington

Washington’s horse racing industry isn’t as well-developed as some other states with a mature gambling industry, with the Evergreen State having only two tracks: Emerald Downs and Sun Downs, both located in the city of Auburn. You’ll only be able to engage in any live wagering on horse racing at those two tracks, but there are a dozen authorized off-track betting facilities at different gambling facilities around the state. Horse racing betting in Washington is overseen by the state’s dedicated Horse Racing Commission, and the Commission’s website lists the locations of all these pari-mutuel off-site betting sites. Our recommended legal Washington sports betting sites also offer the option to bet on horse racing.

Daily Fantasy Sports In Washington

The Evergreen State has fairly permissive social gambling laws, all things considered, but state laws definitely crack down hard on daily fantasy sports (DFS). Seriously, playing daily fantasy sports in Washington is a no-go, and that’s because the state is the only one in the entire US that absolutely, unequivocally puts the kibosh on DFS to the extent that it does. The state’s attorney general’s office has gone so far as to arrest, charge, and prosecute an individual running a NASCAR fantasy sports operator back in 2011.

The Washington State Gambling Commission issued a statement back in ’11 after David Watkins (the owner and operator of the Fantasy Thunder site) was arrested that basically asserts that DFS is a game of chance and is thusly prohibited under state law, according to RCW 9.46.0225. This flies in the face of the federal UIGEA, which classifies DFS as a game of skill, even though players are eligible to win monetary rewards and there is certainly cross-shopping between fantasy contests and sports betting. A bill to legalize DFS in Washington was put forward during the 2015 legislative session but it wasn’t passed, despite some earnest interest from the state’s Gaming Commission.

Washington Sports Betting Timeline

• Dec 21, 2021 – Tacoma’s newest sportsbook, the Emerald Queen, is open for business.
• Sep 8, 2021 – The Snoqualmie Casino launched its Snoqualmie Sportsbook, allowing WA bettors to wager on the NFL.
• Jun 11, 2021 – Washington has approved the sports betting compacts allowing sports betting to be offered at tribal casinos.
• May 12, 2021 – Sportsbook-related tribal compacts have been approved by Gov. Jay Inslee with the Kalispel Tribe.
• Apr 19, 2021 – The state of Washington and the Tulalip Tribe have come to an agreement regarding sports betting.
• Feb 5, 2021 – A new bill for Washington commercial sports betting has received its first reading, although the Governor seems set on tribal sports betting.
• Dec 21, 2020 – Some in Washington expect sports betting to be fully launched by spring of 2021.
• Aug 17, 2020 – Dave Trujillo, Director of the Washington State Gambling Commission, tells LSB that “I think 2021 is a fair assessment, granted it’s probably not going to be early 2021 but I think 2021 is fair to say.”
• Jul 7, 2020 – The Suquamish Tribe in Washington has applied for a sports betting license, the first tribe to do so.
• Mar 26, 2020 – Gov. Jay Inslee signs WA HB 2638, authorizing tribal sports betting in Washington.
• Mar 6, 2020 – WA HB 2638, which approves tribal sports betting in Washington, passes the Senate 34-15.
• Feb 14, 2020 – WA HB 2638, an initiative to approve sports betting via tribal compact re-negotiations, passes the House 83-14.
• Jan 31, 2020 – There are plans in the 2020 legislative session to regulate sports betting in Washington. 

Economic Impacts Of Sports Betting In Washington

Washington State University reviewed several possible scenarios for what sports betting in WA could look like. They also do analysis for what potential revenue and economic impacts could be in WA under each scenario. This is a method of measuring the total economic benefit to the state, not just the revenue, but the jobs created.

• Retail sports betting at tribal casinos. No online betting. Projected economic impact of $93.8 million.
• Retail sports betting at tribal casinos. Online via apps after in-person registration. Projected economic impact of $192 million.
• Retail sports betting at tribal casinos. Online via apps after remote registration. Projected economic impact of $322 million.

Currently, Washington is in scenario 1. A move to scenario 2 could double the economic impact of sports betting, and a move to scenario 3 would more than triple it.

Washington State Gambling Restrictions

The only gambling restrictions at Washington sportsbooks is on college sports betting. By law, no sportsbooks in Washington can accept wagers on teams located in Washington. The same does not apply for legal sportsbooks like Bovada. Because they follow licensing requirements external to the Washington State Gambling Commission, this requirement does not apply to them. This makes Bovada the best place to bet on college sports in Washington. Otherwise, Washington is rather open with their betting standards.

Neighboring States With Sports Betting

Only bordering two states, only Oregon has sportsbooks to offer Washington locals. Keep in mind that this is still a trek to bet on sports. For those in Vancouver, going to the Chinook Winds Casino Resort takes about two hours. The Mill Casino Hotel takes about four hours. The closest Oregon sportsbook to Washington is the Spirit Mountain Casino, which is still over an hour from Vancouver. As for Idaho, they have shown no desire to regulate sports betting within their borders. Montana and Nevada are the two next closest states with sports betting.

Can I Bet Real Money On Sports In Washington?

You can bet real money on sports in Washington, but more importantly, you can win real money – but only if you’re good at picking winners, of course. There are no land-based locations to bet real money yet, but global online sportsbooks are fair game. You can deposit with these sites using cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or traditional debit/credit cards. Unfortunately, you can’t withdraw money directly onto a payment card. This is a result of the prohibitions placed on financial institutions that keep them from processing transactions related to online gambling.

Active Sportsbooks In Washington State

Washington Retail Sportsbooks

Angel Of The Winds Casino Resort:

Touted as “The Book”, Angel Of The Winds Casino is a place to bet on sports in Arlington. Offering sports betting kiosks, players can also find off-track horse racing betting odds. The Book is great for first timers, as the first bet you place in on them! Just visit the promo kiosk to redeem this benefit.

Chewelah Casino:

Partnered with Caesars, Chewelah Casino holds an interesting sportsbook promotion. Non-winning tickets get drawn from the Sun Club barrel monthly. If your losing ticket is picked, you win a cash prize of $250. The sportsbook at Chewelah Casino opened just in time to take bets on the 2023 Super Bowl.

Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino:

Emerald Queen is likely the next legal Washington sportsbook to launch a mobile app. In their partnership with BetMGM, Emerald Queen is advancing the sports betting game. Be sure to get the EQC Players Club card. This allows you to review your placed sports bets similar to how a casino’s player card works.

Little Creek Casino and Resort:

One cannot miss the Little Creek Casino Sportsbook. Located on the casino floor, just look for the 82″ inch TV screens, luxury seating, and a 20’x10′ sports video wall. Working with IGT, the Little Creek Casino Sportsbook offers many promotions to bettors. Recently, they gave baseball ticket giveaways as well as $500 per week during the NFL season.

Muckleshoot Casino Resort:

Caesars Sportsbook at Muckleshoot is in a league of its own. With 20 big screens and a live sports betting ticker, it’s hard to miss a bet. They also feature a bar menu and breakfast specials on the weekend. Keep in mind, though that this smoke-free establishment requires bettors to be 21.

Northern Quest Resort & Casino:

The Turf Club Sports Book at Northern Quest Casino is quite the book. Find seating easily at this Washington sportsbook, which is open at 7 a.m. on the weekends. They do close somewhat early (10 p.m. daily) but have excellent amenities like a Top Golf Swing Suite. After placing a bet, check out the EPIC Sports Bar to socialize with other bettors.

Snoqualmie Casino:

With 12 sports betting kiosks at Snoqualmie Casino, getting a bet in is rather easy. There is also a betting window, open until 11 p.m. every night. Snoqualmie Casino has a leg up on the other legal Washington sportsbooks with their mobile betting app. However, this can only be used on casino grounds, but still offers the ability to live bet.

Spokane Tribe Casino:

Located in Airway Heights, the Caesars Sportsbook inside Spokane Tribe Casino helps bad bettors. Every Sunday at noon, losing bets get selected from the second chance barrel. With this, it makes winning a bet much easier whether betting at a kiosk or window. Open at 11 a.m. every day, the Spoake Tribe Casino sportsbook closes at 10 p.m.

Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort:

FanDuel brings the action at their sportsbook in the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort. Starting at 8 a.m. on the weekends, this FanDuel sportsbook has 12 betting kioks and three ticket taking windows. A 32’x9′ HD video wall lets you see over 17 games happening in real time. Seating for 250+ bettors can also be found at the Beach Rock Music and Sports Lounge.

Where’s The Closest Sportsbook From Seattle?

There are many casinos in Washington that allow for betting. But, most of them are still stuck on casino gambling only. Still, there are nine active sportsbooks in Washington. There are three sportsbooks near Seattle within driving distance. Also, some sportsbooks are about an hour from downtown Seattle. The rest can be well over a few hours of driving.

• The closest sportsbook to Seattle is the Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino. This is about 30 minutes due south on Interstate 5.
• Similarly, the Muckleshoot Casino Resort is about the same distance. Go south on I-5 but get off at Exit 142-A and head east toward Auburn.
• Those looking for another sportsbooks close to Seattle should try Snoqualmie Casino. Head east on I-90 for about 25 miles and take exit 27.
• The Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort is about an hour from Seattle. But, this requires taking the Seattle – Bainbridge Ferry to Bainbridge Island.
• Bettors can also take I-5 north to Angel Of The Winds Casino Resort. This trip is just under an hour depending on where in Seattle you live.

Taxes On Sports Betting In Washington

You are required to report your gambling winnings when filing your taxes if they exceed the income reporting threshold. It is highly recommended that you follow the law when filing your taxes on sports betting. Washington does not have a specific tax carveout for gambling, but you will be taxed on your winnings at a rate of 25%. This applies whether you have used a Washington sportsbook or a sportsbook located outside of the state.

Washington Sports Betting Bonuses

Online Sportsbook Bonuses For WA Sportsbooks