Washington Casino Guide
Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in Washington
The number of casinos in Washington is astounding when you consider how avidly the state is fighting against online casinos. Even if you find U.S.-friendly online casinos that allow players from Washington, you’ll be playing there illegally. The Washington State Constitution clearly states in Article II, Section 24 that: “gambling on the Internet or operating an Internet gambling site” is illegal. Ignoring the law can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the situation.
Does it really matter that gambling online is illegal in Washington? Probably not. There are dozens of casinos in Washington, so you won’t have to travel far to find a place to play.
History of Gambling in Washington
Washington’s come a long way since all forms of gambling were banned in 1889. Horse betting was the first form of gambling to become legal, but from 1933 to 1971, there were no changes. If people wanted to bet, they were going to bet on ponies or gamble illegally.
In 1971, the state started to move towards allowing some forms of gambling and legalized Bingo and raffles. Two years later, pull tabs and Vegas Night fundraising events were added to the list of legal gambling activities. Only one year passed before the next huge change came, and that was to legalize card rooms throughout the state.
It wouldn’t be until 1988 that Washington even began to consider casinos. After signing the first compact in 1992, Washington had its first casino. From there, the state’s casino industry sprang to life.
Age Restrictions for Gambling in Washington
Washington makes it really easy to understand if you are of legal age to gamble. The legal age for any form of gambling is 18 and up.
Washington’s Casino Gambling Outlook
With Washington’s strong stance against Internet gambling, it’s unlikely that much will change in the near future. That said, a new commissioner has been named to head the Washington State Gambling Commission. He has a clear vision for expanding gambling in Washington. First he wants to increase the number of gaming machines allowed in Washington casinos. His other thought is even more exciting as he thinks casinos in Washington might benefit from being able to run virtual casinos on mobile devices.
Local Casinos
Washington State is home to 29 federally recognized tribes, and only one of those has not created a compact with the state. As a result, there are more than two dozen casinos in Washington and many smaller establishments offering card rooms. Here are some of the highest-rated Washington casinos.
Little Creek Casino Resort – Little Creek is one of the few casinos that creates a separated smoke-free environment for its players. Find a mix of everything here, including table games, slots, poker, Bingo, Craps, and Keno. The smoke-free gaming floor covers 5,000 square feet of space and has a café and bar, too.
Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel – With more than 1,000 slot machines available, you’re going to have plenty to play at Lucky Eagle. The slots are not all you’ll find. There’s also a bingo hall, Keno, and many table games available.
The Point Casino – This 24-hour casino has a poker room, 7 table games, and more than 700 video slots, poker, and Keno machines. There are also Bingo machines available for players.
Snoqualmie Casino – Located outside of Seattle, Snoqualmie Casino boasts more than 1,700 video slots, 50 table games, and a poker room.
Tulalip Resort Casino – Players take home millions of dollars in prizes every month at Tulalip Resort Casino. In addition to a Bingo hall and a poker room, there are more than 2,200 slot machines and an expansive number of table games.