Washington State has 35 Indian casinos owned by 25 tribes and located across 15 counties. These tribal casinos are regulated by the federal NIGC and with gaming compacts signed with the Washington State Gambling Commission. Washington State Tribal Casinos County - Any - Clallam Clark Cowlitz Ferry Grays Harbor Jefferson King Kitsap Klickitat Mason Okanogan Pacific Pend Oreille Pierce Skagit Snohomish Spokane Stevens Thurston Whatcom Yakima. Casino Maps See Maps of all U.S. Casinos in Every State Use our comprehensive list of casino maps, broken down by state, to find detailed information on every U.S. Casino Resort, Riverboat Casino, and Indian Casino. Simply click on a state name below to see a detailed map showing every casino in that state!

• Okanogan
• Coulee Dam Casino
• Casinos In USA With Map – Map Showing Casinos In USA By State

• Year Washington Regulated Gambling: Horseracing (1933), Bingo (1963), Lottery (1982), Indian Casinos (1992), Card Clubs (1997)
• Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: $445 million
• Estimated Gambling Revenue: $2.2 billion
• Washington Gambling Age: 18 for all gambling, although some casinos that serve alcohol require patrons to be 21
• Smoking ban: Washington bans smoking in all gaming establishments. State law does not apply to reservation casinos.
• Washington Online gambling: Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling. All others are expressly illegal.

Washington State Tribal Casinos County - Any - Clallam Clark Cowlitz Ferry Grays Harbor Jefferson King Kitsap Klickitat Mason Okanogan Pacific Pend Oreille Pierce Skagit Snohomish Spokane Stevens Thurston Whatcom Yakima.

Washington is one of the most liberal states in the country when it comes to gambling. This includes having many Washington casinos and card clubs spread throughout the state. The racing industry dates back to 1933. This includes live and off-track betting. Charitable gaming was legalized 40 years later. It is up to local jurisdictions to regulate. The Washington Lottery sells tickets for instant games and lotto drawings.

Card clubs in Washington state can offer live poker tables, as well as house-banked card games. This includes blackjack, baccarat, and proprietary games. Craps, roulette, slots and video poker are not permitted at card clubs. Tribal Washington casinos may spread these games.

Paying Gambling Taxes in the State of Washington

Did you know that your gambling income is taxable? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.

Washington Casinos Map & Guide

• Tulalip Resort Casino
• Little Creek Casino Resort
• Angel of the Winds Casino
• Muckleshoot Casino
• Emerald Queen Casino

• Number of B&M Casinos: 67
• Number of Poker Rooms: 52
• Number of Indian Casinos: 28

Types of Washington Online Gambling Allowed

The only form of online gambling legal in Washington state is horse racing. TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica are among the sites that accept this action from Washington residents.

Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in Washington. No legitimate sites take players from the state. Washington state law forbids all forms of online gambling except horse racing. It is a felony to participate as either a player or operator.

Types of Live Washington Gambling

• Slots: Yes
• Blackjack: Yes
• Poker: Yes
• Craps/Roulette: Yes
• Horses: Yes
• Lottery: Yes

Washington gambling offers all types of betting action players can find. The state lottery sells scratch-off and lotto tickets. The most popular games are massive interstate jackpot drawings like Mega Millions and Powerball. Charities can spread bingo and raffle nights. There are racetracks that offer live and off-track betting.

Card clubs have live poker rooms and house-banked games like blackjack. These range from mini-casinos that have just a few tables to establishments that resemble full-service Washington casinos without the slots. It all depends on local law. Washington casinos on reservations can offer slots, video poker, live poker, craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and Pai Gow games.

Washington Gambling Laws

The most unusual Washington gambling law is its prohibition against online gambling. It is a felony to play any gambling game over the Internet. This applies to the participants and the operator. This is enough to keep daily fantasy sports sites out of the state. Even offshore sites that are probably violating every state law in every market they participate in avoid Washington. It is nearly impossible to find a legitimate poker, casino or sports betting site that accepts Washington residents because of this.

Live horse racing is legal in Washington. These tracks may operate race books. Online and mobile betting apps are also permitted if a license is issued.

Charities may offer bingo and raffles may be offered by nonprofit organizations. These must register with local jurisdictions, which have the ultimate right of regulation.

The state lottery is the only other group that is permitted to offer games of pure chance outside of reservations. The lottery may sell instant game and lotto tickets. The Washington Lottery may distribute these tickets through retailers but not over the Internet. State law permits the lottery to enter interstate drawings.

The minimum Washington gambling age is 18 years of age to enter. Washington casinos are allowed to raise the minimum gambling age to 21 years if alcohol is sold and served. Card clubs pay a tax rate of 20 percent on gaming revenue. Tribal Washington casinos must enter a gaming compact with the state that is negotiated by the governor. All of the gambling and casinos in Washington is licensed and regulated through the Washington State Gambling Commission.

List of Washington State Casinos

There are more than 60 Washington casinos within the state. These range from small card clubs with 15 or fewer tables to sprawling resorts with slots and dozens of table games on reservations. Players can find casinos in Potlach, with plenty of options to choose from, or go to the casinos in Chewela. To make it easier to find a casino, you can always look at the Washington casinos map located above for directions and more.

In addition to these casinos and card clubs, there are other places to gamble. There are four racetracks that offer live horse racing. Emerald Downs is the only track that offers a major live racing schedule. Dayton, Sun Downs, Waitsburg, and Walla Walla offer state fair racing for a handful of days each year. There are also bingo halls and lottery retailers.

History of Washington Gambling

Horse racing first started in Washington before it ever became a state. It was the first form of legalized gambling, not just in Washington, but in the entire region. Racing stood as the only form of regulated gaming until 1963 when voters affirmed a constitutional amendment that created charity gaming. Municipalities are given the right to regulate this type of gaming. Most permit it while others do not.

The state lottery was approved by Washington voters in November 1981. The structure of it passed the state legislature in 1982.

Native American Washington casinos were first approved in 1992. The first gaming compact was executed that year with the Tulalip tribe. This allowed for the first legal slots and video poker machines in the state. Card clubs had a $40 bet limit for years. After lobbying for more than 10 years, the limit was raised to $100 in 2013 for poker games not banked for the house. The bet limit for house-banked card games was raised to $300 in 2008. The clubs hoped to get that raised to $500 but have not been successful. This limit does not apply to reservations.

In 2006, the state legislature banned all forms of online gambling. The state made it a felony to play these games. It was done to protect the state’s card clubs and tribal casinos. In 2010, Margarita Prentice, sponsor of the bill at the time, told Gary Wise of ESPN,

“I just think some of these arguments are utter nonsense. You mean you’re going to move so you can play poker? Gee, lots of luck in your life.” Prentice continued, “I have nothing against card playing. That’s fine. If you want to do that, but I’m sure not going to worry about someone.” Then she hit online poker players in Washington with an offensive comment that was never forgotten. “Let them go pump gas,” Prentice said.

The online poker bill stands to this day. There was a court challenge in 2008. The Washington Supreme Court declared the bill constitutional. There were attempts to repeal the law and regulated online poker in 2015 and 2016. Both attempts failed.

Washington Gambling FAQ

No. State law makes any form of online gambling a felony to play or operate. This includes online poker, casino games, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.

The minimum Washington gambling age is 18 years. Washington casinos and card clubs that sell alcohol have a minimum gambling age of 21 years.

Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, blackjack, Three Card Poker, baccarat, Pai Gow Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are among the legal games in Washington card clubs.

Slots, video poker, electronic table games, blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and other house-banked card games are among the action available to Washington Native American casino patrons.

No. Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in the state.

Yes. There are live races and off-track betting. This includes over the Internet and on mobile apps.

Introduction to Washington Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Washington slot machine casino gambling consists of 31 tribal casinos with a unique type of electronic player terminal based on scratch tickets controlled by a state-wide Tribal Lottery System (TLS).

All state-tribal compacts set a minimum theoretical payout limit. However, no return statistics are publicly available.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Washington*

The minimum legal gambling age in Washington depends upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 18/21 depending upon the casino
• Poker Rooms: 18
• Bingo: 18
• Lottery: 18
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Washington’s player terminals at tribal casinos are based on the lottery’s scratch ticket games in electronic form. This unique form of slot machines makes Washington slot machines unique in the U.S. All other U.S.-based lottery terminals are based on draw lotteries, not from lotteries other game: scratch tickets.

Twenty-nine tribes originally negotiated tribal-state compacts to offer gambling at tribal casinos. However, the state and these tribes could not agree whether Vegas-style slot machines should be legal in Washington.

Scratch-based gaming machines resulted from early negotiations of these gaming compacts. This impasse resolution led to creating a secondary lottery system for player terminals at tribal casinos. The state lottery was a model for the TLS.

Draw-based terminals create tickets at the time of the bet using random number generators (RNGs). However, scratch-based terminals know in advance the result of each wager. Put another way, the outcome of each bet is pre-determined and do not require an RNG.

Another technical difference between lottery draw tickets and scratch tickets is how many of them can exist. For example, there are as many draw tickets as players are willing to buy. However, lotteries create only a limited number of scratch tickets but, hopefully, enough for a busy night at a Washington tribal casino.

All negotiated tribal-state compacts also have other legal restrictions for their scratch-based terminal-style slot machines. These limits have been expanding over time as part of this state’s dynamic gaming industry. The requirements are:

• Allows replaying of credits won
• No handles
• No mechanical spinning wheels
• A minimum payout return (see below)
• $5 maximum wager on 85% on VLTs
• $20 maximum wager on 15% of VLTs
• Cap of 2,500 VLT machines per tribe

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Washington

It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Washington if it is 25 years old or older.

Gaming Control Board in Washington

The gaming control board is the Washington State Gambling Commission offering licensing, regulation, and enforcement of certain aspects of the gaming industry in Washington. Their regulatory responsibilities primarily include testing and approving new electronic gaming machines.

Further, each tribe with a casino in Washington has a tribal gaming agency (TGA). Agents of a TGA are the primary regulators at tribal casinos. At all times, at least one TGA agent must be on duty at a tribal casino.

Casinos in Washington

There are 31 American Indian tribal casinos and multiple cruise ships based in the state of Washington.

The largest casino in Washington is Muckleshoot Casino with 3,125 electronic gaming terminals.

The second-largest casino is Ilani Casino Resort with 2,500 electronic gaming terminals.

Commercial Casinos in Washington

Okanogan

The state of Washington has no commercial casinos with slot machines.

Tribal Casinos in Washington

The state of Washington has 31 tribal casinos:

1. Angel of the Winds Casino Resort in Arlington, 50 miles north of Seattle
2. BJ’s Bingo & Gaming in Fife near Tacoma
3. Chewelah Casino in Chewelah, 50 miles north of Spokane
4. Coulee Dam Casino in Coulee Dam, 40 miles north of Seattle, owned by 12 Tribes Colville Casinos
5. Elwha River Casino in Port Angeles, 70 miles northwest of Seattle
6. Emerald Queen Casino & Hotel (EQC) in Fife near Tacoma
7. Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) I-5 in Tacoma
8. Ilani Casino Resort in Ridgefield, 25 miles north of Portland near the border to Oregon
9. Kalispel Casino in Cusick, 53 miles north of Spokane
10. Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, 23 miles north of Olympia
11. Lucky Dog Casino in Skokomish, 23 miles north of Olympia
12. Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel in Rochester, 26 miles south of Olympia
13. Mill Bay Casino in Manson, 200 miles northeast of Seattle on the north shore of Lake Chelan, owned by 12 Tribes Colville Casinos
14. Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, 20 miles south of Seattle
15. Nooksack Northwood Casino in Lynden, 14 miles north of Bellingham
16. Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights, 10 miles west of Spokane
17. The Point Casino in Kingston, 18 miles west of Seattle via Bainbridge Ferry
18. Quil Ceda Creek Nightclub & Casino in Quil Ceda Village, 30 miles north of Seattle
19. Quinault Beach Resort and Casino in Ocean Shores, 90 miles west of Tacoma
20. Red Wind Casino in Olympia
21. 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim, 70 miles northwest of Seattle by ferry
22. Shoalwater Bay Casino in Tokeland, 75 miles southwest of Olympia
23. Silver Reef Casino Resort in Ferndale, 17 miles north of Bellingham
24. Skagit Valley Casino Resort in Bow, 75 miles north of Seattle
25. Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, 30 miles east of Seattle
26. Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights, 9 miles west of Spokane
27. Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort in Suquamish, 15 miles west of Seattle via Bainbridge Ferry
28. Swinomish Casino & Lodge in Anacortes, 70 miles north of Seattle
29. Tulalip Casino in Quil Ceda Village, 30 miles north of Seattle
30. 12 Tribes Casino in Omak, 165 miles northeast of Seattle, owned by 12 Tribes Colville Casinos
31. Yakama Legends Casino in Toppenish, 20 miles south of Yakama

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Washington slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Washington is:

• North: The Canadian Province of British Columbia
• East: Idaho Slots
• South: Oregon Slots
• West: The Pacific Ocean

Coulee Dam Casino

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Washington.

Our Washington Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Washington? If so, join our Washington slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Washington. Join us!

Payout Returns in Washington

The TLS directly controls the results of Washington’s unique terminal-style slot machines. TLS’ central computer system provides the outcome of each bet made on each terminal at the time of the wager. This off-site control extends to any bonus rounds.

All tribal-state compacts in Washington established a minimum theoretical payout of 75% for slot machines. Further, no return statistics for slots are available to the public.

Summary of Washington Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Casinos In USA With Map – Map Showing Casinos In USA By State

Washington slot machine casino gambling consists of 31 tribal casinos with electronic scratch ticket video player terminal slot machines. The state-run Tribal Lottery System (TLS) controls the results of all bets offsite from the tribal casinos.

Tribal-state compacts have set a minimum theoretical payout of 75% for their unique terminal-style electronic slot machines. No return statistics are available to the public.

Annual Progress in Washington Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Over the last year, Tulalip Resort Casino with its 2,400 gaming machines has dropped from second largest casino to third largest, replaced by Ilani Casino Resort with its 2,500 gaming machines.

Further, two tribal casinos have opened within the last year, including Kalispel Casino in Cusick located 53 miles north of Spokane and Spokane Tribe Casino located in Airway Heights a few miles west of Spokane.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

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By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC