Legal Sports Betting For Washington Residents
Finding legal online sports betting for Washington residents isn’t quite as simple as it is for residents in other states. That is because, in Washington, there are several state laws that mention online gambling. We go over these laws in full further down the page, but technically speaking, betting on sports in Washington online is not allowed based on these laws. This is a real shame because the state of Washington is home to multiple professional sports teams and Division 1 collegiate programs. The good news is that there have been bills introduced that would amend these laws, showing that there are supporters of sports betting among state officials.
That being said, we have found a number of different sportsbooks that allow gamblers in Washington to sign up. There are plenty of online sportsbooks that provide Washington sports betting, but not all of them are really worth signing up for. We have found a few specific sportsbooks that have the best of everything if you would like to participate in sports betting online. Again, though, we do not condone anything that goes against state law. We answer all of your questions about legal online sports betting in Washington on this page.
Legal online sports betting in Washington falls into a very gray category of the law. In 2006, a law was passed that stated that placing wagers over the internet was prohibited. Now, technically, state laws don’t have jurisdiction over foreign companies. That being said, we don’t condone law breaking, and it is up to you whether you end up using an online, offshore sportsbook.
Sports Betting Laws in Washington
Because of strict laws in the Washington penal code related to online betting, we do not recommend that any Washington citizen participate in any form of online wagering, whether it’s a bet on a sporting event, a pull of an online casino slot machine, or any other form of betting that involves a computer and Internet connection. The law in its entirety can be found at Washington’s State Legislature website, under RCW 9.46.240.
Washington has passed certain laws which prevent the usage of online gambling sites, so there is always the risk of jail time. To date, though, there have been no arrests made in the state of Washington for people who place bets online. Just because there have been no arrests, this doesn’t make sports betting in Washington legal. We’re just giving you the facts, to do with what you will. It is up to you if you want to bet on sports online.
Bovada is a sportsbook that accepts residents from Washington, even though they do so at their own peril. With Bovada's sportsbook, you will be able to play through some of the safest betting odds online. They provide their users with a set of betting lines that cover every possible sport, as well as entertainment and political betting odds. Bovada provides a 100% to $250 match bonus upon starting up, which offers their users a solid sign up package that will help you build a significant bankroll. Few other sportsbooks compare to what Bovada has to offer, which makes them one of the better locations to risk gambling online.
When we decided to look at BetOnline, we found that they also accept gamblers in the state of Washington. BetOnline gives their players one of the most extensive sets of betting lines. When we decided to look into BetOnline, we had found that they offer their users one of the largest bonuses of any sportsbook - a 50% match to $2,500. They accept e-checks, VISA and wire transfers for easy deposits, so you should never have to stress funding your account. BetOnline is easily one of the most impressive gambling sites online, and they provide players with one of the easiest betting cards in the whole industry.
MyBookie is one of the sites that have many of the things that bettors want when they have a sportsbook account. Here in Washington, there are great teams like the Seahawks and the Mariners that residents are big fans of and watched their games. This is the best sportsbooks for all bettors because there are also features like live betting and mobile betting that could help players make money and also be active while placing their bets. Fans don’t have to wait that long to sign up because soon as they are officially adults they can make an account and get to betting!
It is known that all the sportsbooks across the country have numerous bets that bettors can place on big-time games. Sportsbetting is one of the few sites that have all of what players need and look for when it comes to betting options and then some. The fact that there are great features like live betting and mobile betting on this sportsbook is one of the few reasons that players continue to not only come back but also refer others to sign up for a SportsBetting account. There also are great bonuses on this site and that includes refer bonuses when players bring in other friends to sign up! So much is here on Sportsbetting and fans need to be aware!
In addition to the online gambling laws in the state of Washington, there are several national laws that the state and its residents must abide by. Federal laws impact Washington sports betting by limiting how and where it can be done. The first of these federal sports betting laws, The Wire Act, prevents bets from being taken over the phone or computer, restricting bets to an in-person activity. It was passed in order to keep sports bets from crossing state lines.
The government took it a step further with the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. PASPA prevents states from regulating their own sports betting, which essentially got rid of any state-licensed sportsbooks in 46 states. This, in conjunction with the Wire Act, pretty much eradicated sports betting in Washington. However, PASPA was repealed in May of 2018, which gives Washington lawmakers the option to legalize the activity if they wish.
To further restrict how sports betting can be done, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed. The UIGEA sought to further limit sports betting by prohibiting businesses from accepting and transacting payments made by US bettors. While this law doesn’t prevent betting at an online sportsbook, it can produce problems when it comes time to make a deposit. This is because banks are allowed to decline transactions if they suspect that they are going to an online sports betting site. Declined transactions most usually come in the form of a declined credit card payment or wire transfer.
None of these laws actually make betting on sports unlawful. They do, however, make it hard to find legal venues, especially when the state passes laws that prevent the use of the internet for gambling. It is a combination of federal and state laws in this case that really do make it extremely hard to find legal Washington sports betting..
Online sportsbooks that are based overseas only require players in the US to be 18 before they sign up. Some states have a legal age requirement of 21, though. Luckily for Washington residents, this isn’t the case. The legal Washington sports betting age is 18.
Using a mobile app to bet on sports in Washington is considered the same as using the Internet to place wagers. So, again, it is at your own risk to use an online sportsbook with a mobile app. If this is something you would like to do, then we recommend using a book that is well established. This means that their mobile app will also be more up to date and have fewer bugs in the system.
What Types Of Wagers Are Available At Online Sportsbooks?
Most legal sports betting sites in Washington will allow all of the common wager types that land-based sportsbooks would have. So you’ll see parlays, futures, props, moneylines, spreads, and totals. Some sportsbooks will also have round robins, Asian handicaps, if-bets, and more. It really depends on the sportsbook you’re using.
Are Washington Sports Betting Sites Safe?
It depends on what sportsbook you’re using, but all of the Washington sports betting sites that we list are extremely safe. To find a sportsbook that’s safe, you’ll want to see if they are licensed, where they are located, and what kind of security features they use, like an SSL. As long as they meet these requirements, we are confident in saying they are safe.
Professional Sports Teams In Washington:
- Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
- Seattle Mariners (MLB)
- Seattle Sounders (MLS)
- Seattle Storm (WNBA)
College Sports Teams In Washington:
- Gonzaga University
- Washington State University
- University of Washington
- Seattle University