Washington Gambling Laws
If you are trying to gamble in the state of Washington, know that you do have options. Your options are established by the Washington Gambling Laws. These laws cover the operation of gambling centers, as well as home games and other different forms of gambling. They even have a section of their legislation that mentions online gambling. Washington is something of a dichotomy in terms of gambling, as they restrict some forms of gambling while allowing many others. If you were curious about even the Washington Online Gambling Laws, they are listed here as well - provided you can decipher the legalese in question.
We are not lawyers, and thus we cannot tell you what is legal gambling or what is defined as illegal gambling. We do not support the breaking of any Washington Gambling Statutes. If you break a law, inadvertently or otherwise, than we cannot be held accountable for what you have chosen to do.
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Washington Gambling Statutes
RCW 9.46.0237 "Gambling."
"Gambling," as used in this chapter, means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. Gambling does not include fishing derbies as defined by this chapter, parimutuel betting and handicapping contests as authorized by chapter 67.16 RCW, bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, including, but not limited to, contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities, and agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including, but not limited to, contracts of indemnity or guarantee and life, health, or accident insurance. In addition, a contest of chance which is specifically excluded from the definition of lottery under this chapter shall not constitute gambling.
RCW 9.46.0241 "Gambling device."
"Gambling device," as used in this chapter, means: (1) Any device or mechanism the operation of which a right to money, credits, deposits or other things of value may be created, in return for a consideration, as the result of the operation of an element of chance, including, but not limited to slot machines, video pull-tabs, video poker, and other electronic games of chance; (2) any device or mechanism which, when operated for a consideration, does not return the same value or thing of value for the same consideration upon each operation thereof; (3) any device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction or installation designed primarily for use in connection with professional gambling; and (4) any subassembly or essential part designed or intended for use in connection with any such device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction or installation. In the application of this definition, a pinball machine or similar mechanical amusement device which confers only an immediate and unrecorded right of replay on players thereof, which does not contain any mechanism which varies the chance of winning free games or the number of free games which may be won or a mechanism or a chute for dispensing coins or a facsimile thereof, and which prohibits multiple winnings depending upon the number of coins inserted and requires the playing of five balls individually upon the insertion of a nickel or dime, as the case may be, to complete any one operation thereof, shall not be deemed a gambling device: PROVIDED, That owning, possessing, buying, selling, renting, leasing, financing, holding a security interest in, storing, repairing and transporting such pinball machines or similar mechanical amusement devices shall not be deemed engaging in professional gambling for the purposes of this chapter and shall not be a violation of this chapter: PROVIDED FURTHER, That any fee for the purchase or rental of any such pinball machines or similar amusement devices shall have no relation to the use to which such machines are put but be based only upon the market value of any such machine, regardless of the location of or type of premises where used, and any fee for the storing, repairing and transporting thereof shall have no relation to the use to which such machines are put, but be commensurate with the cost of labor and other expenses incurred in any such storing, repairing and transporting.
RCW 9.46.0245 "Gambling information."
"Gambling information," as used in this chapter, means any wager made in the course of and any information intended to be used for professional gambling. In the application of this definition, information as to wagers, betting odds and changes in betting odds shall be presumed to be intended for use in professional gambling. This section shall not apply to newspapers of general circulation or commercial radio and television stations licensed by the federal communications commission.
RCW 9.46.0249 "Gambling premises."
"Gambling premises," as used in this chapter, means any building, room, enclosure, vehicle, vessel or other place used or intended to be used for professional gambling. In the application of this definition, any place where a gambling device is found shall be presumed to be intended to be used for professional gambling.
RCW 9.46.0253 "Gambling record."
"Gambling record," as used in this chapter, means any record, receipt, ticket, certificate, token, slip or notation given, made, used or intended to be used in connection with professional gambling.
RCW 9.46.0265 "Player."
"Player," as used in this chapter, means a natural person who engages, on equal terms with the other participants, and solely as a contestant or bettor, in any form of gambling in which no person may receive or become entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of a particular gambling activity. A natural person who gambles at a social game of chance on equal terms with the other participants shall not be considered as rendering material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of the social game merely by performing, without fee or remuneration, acts directed toward the arrangement or facilitation of the game, such as inviting persons to play, permitting the use of premises for the game, or supplying cards or other equipment to be used in the games. A person who engages in "bookmaking" as defined in this chapter is not a "player." A person who pays a fee or "vigorish" enabling him or her to place a wager with a bookmaker, or pays a fee other than as authorized by this chapter to participate in a card game, contest of chance, lottery, or gambling activity, is not a player.
RCW 9.46.0269 "Professional gambling."
(1) A person is engaged in "professional gambling" for the purposes of this chapter when:
(a) Acting other than as a player or in the manner authorized by this chapter, the person knowingly engages in conduct which materially aids any form of gambling activity; or
(b) Acting other than in a manner authorized by this chapter, the person pays a fee to participate in a card game, contest of chance, lottery, or other gambling activity; or
(c) Acting other than as a player or in the manner authorized by this chapter, the person knowingly accepts or receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any other person whereby he or she participates or is to participate in the proceeds of gambling activity; or
(d) The person engages in bookmaking; or
(e) The person conducts a lottery; or
(f) The person violates RCW 9.46.039.
(2) Conduct under subsection (1)(a) of this section, except as exempted under this chapter, includes but is not limited to conduct directed toward the creation or establishment of the particular game, contest, scheme, device or activity involved, toward the acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment or apparatus therefor, toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to participate therein, toward the actual conduct of the playing phases thereof, toward the arrangement of any of its financial or recording phases, or toward any other phase of its operation. If a person having substantial proprietary or other authoritative control over any premises shall permit the premises to be used with the person's knowledge for the purpose of conducting gambling activity other than gambling activities authorized by this chapter, and acting other than as a player, and the person permits such to occur or continue or makes no effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation, the person shall be considered as being engaged in professional gambling: PROVIDED, That the proprietor of a bowling establishment who awards prizes obtained from player contributions, to players successfully knocking down pins upon the contingency of identifiable pins being placed in a specified position or combination of positions, as designated by the posted rules of the bowling establishment, where the proprietor does not participate in the proceeds of the "prize fund" shall not be construed to be engaging in "professional gambling" within the meaning of this chapter: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the books and records of the games shall be open to public inspection.
RCW 9.46.0282 "Social card game."
"Social card game" as used in this chapter means a card game that constitutes gambling and is authorized by the commission under RCW 9.46.070. Authorized card games may include a house-banked or a player-funded banked card game. No one may participate in the card game or have an interest in the proceeds of the card game who is not a player or a person licensed by the commission to participate in social card games. There shall be two or more participants in the card game who are players or persons licensed by the commission. The card game must be played in accordance with the rules adopted by the commission under RCW 9.46.070, which shall include but not be limited to rules for the collection of fees, limitation of wagers, and management of player funds. The number of tables authorized shall be set by the commission but shall not exceed a total of fifteen separate tables per establishment.
RCW 9.46.0289 "Whoever," "person."
"Whoever" and "person," as used in this chapter, include natural persons, corporations and partnerships and associations of persons; and when any corporate officer, director or stockholder or any partner authorizes, participates in, or knowingly accepts benefits from any violation of this chapter committed by his or her corporation or partnership, he or she shall be punishable for such violation as if it had been directly committed by him or her.
RCW 9.46.0335 Sports pools authorized.
The legislature hereby authorizes any person, association, or organization to conduct sports pools without a license to do so from the commission but only when the outcome of which is dependent upon the score, or scores, of a certain athletic contest and which is conducted only in the following manner:
(1) A board or piece of paper is divided into one hundred equal squares, each of which constitutes a chance to win in the sports pool and each of which is offered directly to prospective contestants at one dollar or less;
(2) The purchaser of each chance or square signs his or her name on the face of each square or chance he or she purchases; and
(3) At some time not later than prior to the start of the subject athletic contest the pool is closed and no further chances in the pool are sold;
(4) After the pool is closed a prospective score is assigned by random drawing to each square;
(5) All money paid by entrants to enter the pool less taxes is paid out as the prize or prizes to those persons holding squares assigned the winning score or scores from the subject athletic contest;
(6) The sports pool board is available for inspection by any person purchasing a chance thereon, the commission, or by any law enforcement agency upon demand at all times prior to the payment of the prize;
(7) The person or organization conducting the pool is conducting no other sports pool on the same athletic event; and
(8) The sports pool conforms to any rules and regulations of the commission applicable thereto.
RCW 9.46.196 Cheating — Defined.
"Cheating," as used in this chapter, means to:
(1) Employ or attempt to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud any other participant or any operator;
(2) Engage in any act, practice, or course of operation as would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any other participant or any operator;
(3) Engage in any act, practice, or course of operation while participating in a gambling activity with the intent of cheating any other participant or the operator to gain an advantage in the game over the other participant or operator; or
(4) Cause, aid, abet, or conspire with another person to cause any other person to violate subsections (1) through (3) of this section.
RCW 9.46.1961 Cheating in the first degree.
(1) A person is guilty of cheating in the first degree if he or she engages in cheating and:
(a) Knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to engage in cheating; or
(b) Holds a license or similar permit issued by the state of Washington to conduct, manage, or act as an employee in an authorized gambling activity.
(2) Cheating in the first degree is a class C felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021. In addition to any other penalties imposed by law for a conviction of a violation of this section the court may impose an additional penalty of up to twenty thousand dollars.
RCW 9.46.1962 Cheating in the second degree.
(1) A person is guilty of cheating in the second degree if he or she engages in cheating and his or her conduct does not constitute cheating in the first degree.
(2) Cheating in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021.
RCW 9.46.220 Professional gambling in the first degree.
(1) A person is guilty of professional gambling in the first degree if he or she engages in, or knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to engage in professional gambling as defined in this chapter, and:
(a) Acts in concert with or conspires with five or more people; or
(b) Personally accepts wagers exceeding five thousand dollars during any thirty-day period on future contingent events; or
(c) The operation for whom the person works, or with which the person is involved, accepts wagers exceeding five thousand dollars during any thirty-day period on future contingent events; or
(d) Operates, manages, or profits from the operation of a premises or location where persons are charged a fee to participate in card games, lotteries, or other gambling activities that are not authorized by this chapter or licensed by the commission.
(2) However, this section shall not apply to those activities enumerated in RCW 9.46.0305 through 9.46.0361 or to any act or acts in furtherance of such activities when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(3) Professional gambling in the first degree is a class B felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021.
RCW 9.46.221 Professional gambling in the second degree.
(1) A person is guilty of professional gambling in the second degree if he or she engages in or knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to engage in professional gambling as defined in this chapter, and:
(a) Acts in concert with or conspires with less than five people; or
(b) Accepts wagers exceeding two thousand dollars during any thirty-day period on future contingent events; or
(c) The operation for whom the person works, or with which the person is involved, accepts wagers exceeding two thousand dollars during any thirty-day period on future contingent events; or
(d) Maintains a "gambling premises" as defined in this chapter; or
(e) Maintains gambling records as defined in RCW 9.46.0253.
(2) However, this section shall not apply to those activities enumerated in RCW 9.46.0305 through 9.46.0361 or to any act or acts in furtherance of such activities when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(3) Professional gambling in the second degree is a class C felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021.
RCW 9.46.222 Professional gambling in the third degree.
(1) A person is guilty of professional gambling in the third degree if he or she engages in, or knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to engage in professional gambling as defined in this chapter, and:
(a) His or her conduct does not constitute first or second degree professional gambling;
(b) He or she operates any of the unlicensed gambling activities authorized by this chapter in a manner other than as prescribed by this chapter; or
(c) He or she is directly employed in but not managing or directing any gambling operation.
(2) This section shall not apply to those activities enumerated in RCW 9.46.0305 through 9.46.0361 or to any acts in furtherance of such activities when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(3) Professional gambling in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor subject to the penalty established in RCW 9A.20.021.
RCW 9.46.228 Gambling activities by persons under age eighteen prohibited — Penalties — Jurisdiction — In-house controlled purchase programs authorized.
(1) It is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen to play in authorized gambling activities including, but not limited to, punchboards, pull-tabs, or card games, or to participate in fund-raising events. Persons under the age of eighteen may play bingo, raffles, and amusement game activities only as provided in commission rules.
(2) A person under the age of eighteen who violates subsection (1) of this section by engaging in, or attempting to engage in, prohibited gambling activities commits a class 2 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW and is subject to a fine set out in chapter 7.80 RCW, up to four hours of community restitution, and any court imposed costs.
(3) The juvenile court divisions in superior courts within the state have jurisdiction for enforcement of this section.
(4)(a) An employer may conduct an in-house controlled purchase program authorized for the purposes of employee training and employer self-compliance checks.
(b) The civil infraction provisions of this section do not apply to a person under the age of eighteen who is participating in an in-house controlled purchase program authorized by the commission under rules adopted by the commission. Violations occurring under an in-house controlled purchase program authorized by the commission may not be used for criminal or administrative prosecution.
(c) An employer who conducts an in-house controlled purchase program authorized under this section shall provide his or her employees a written description of the employer's in-house controlled purchase program. The written description must include notice of actions an employer may take as a consequence of an employee's failure to comply with company policies regarding unauthorized persons engaging in gambling activities during a controlled purchase program authorized under this section.
(5) A person under the age of eighteen who violates subsection (1) of this section shall not collect any winnings or recover any losses arising as a result of unlawfully participating in any gambling activity. Additionally, any money or anything of value which has been obtained by, or is owed to, any person under the age of eighteen as a result of such participation shall be forfeited to the department of social and health services division of alcohol and substance abuse or its successor and used for a program related to youth problem gambling awareness, prevention, and/or education. Any person claiming any money or things of value subject to forfeiture under this subsection will receive notice and an opportunity for a hearing under RCW 9.46.231.
RCW 9.46.240 Gambling information, transmitting or receiving.
Whoever knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the internet, a telecommunications transmission system, or similar means, or knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information shall be guilty of a class C felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021. However, this section shall not apply to such information transmitted or received or equipment installed or maintained relating to activities authorized by this chapter or to any act or acts in furtherance thereof when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted under this chapter.
Washington Gambling Laws courtesy of: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?Cite=9
