Updated by Joss Wood
Commercial Editor
Fact Checked by Lee James Gwilliam
Senior Vice-President
Unfortunately, there are no real money Washington online casinos. The state actually has some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the country. In fact, many forms of gambling, including real money casinos, have been explicitly made illegal.
All that said, Washingtonians do have some options! Notably, they can play live casino games at several tribal casinos. On this page, we'll briefly cover the history of Washington State gambling laws. We'll also offer you our take on the potential future of online casinos.
Since the late 1800s, Washington has cracked down on almost any form of gambling. After a spike in illegal gambling activity in the 1950s and 1960s, gambling laws became more strictly enforced.
However, some forms of gambling have been legalized in the years since. The state lottery was launched, followed by tribal casinos and card rooms. And only a few years ago, tribal casinos were allowed to begin offering onsite sports betting.
Washington is one of the few states that has specifically banned sweepstakes casinos. However, there are still Washington casino sites that don't include the redemption model. These social casinos use virtual coins and are 100% legal.
Unlike US online casinos, there isn't any cash on the line. But players can still enjoy online slots, live dealer games, and other popular options. Social Washington online casinos offer a stress-free way to participate in online gambling.
Real money online casinos and sweepstakes casinos are illegal in WA. In other words, social casinos represent your only online gambling options. Luckily, some deliver a great experience.
They're 100% legal for Washington players, since you use virtual coins. They often use the same software as the best online casinos out there. And the selection is great, as it includes specialty games, progressive jackpots, and more.
Keep in mind we're talking only about social casinos, but yes! The best Washington online casinos do help you stretch your budget with some of the following promos:
No border states next to Washington offer real money online casinos. Oregon does have online sports betting, but no other form of online gambling.
Still, there's a wave of momentum in the country toward legalizing online gambling. 30 states now allow online sports betting, and seven have authorized online casinos. Will Washington make online gambling legal? Progress has been slow, but the overall trend in the U.S. provides some hope.
Washington has 29 land-based casinos, all on tribal territory. (Gambling laws don't permit any non-tribal groups to run casinos in Washington state.) Here's a quick guide to the local Washington casino destinations for specific cities and areas.
There aren't any retail casinos in Seattle, but the Snoqualmie Casino is less than 30 miles away. Washington players can enjoy 170,000 square feet of gaming space, which features slots and table games. The venue also has a hotel, dining options, a sportsbook, a convention center, and more.
The Spokane Tribe Casino and Northern Quest Resort & Casino are both in Airway Heights. Both locations have highly rated hotels and plenty of entertainment options. You can stay and play in style at either.
The Ilani Casino in Ridgefield is a quick drive away from Vancouver (about 16 miles). The resort includes a hotel, an entertainment venue, restaurants, and plenty of shopping options. It's one of the more popular casinos in Washington State.
Offshore casinos have servers in countries with very liberal gambling laws. This puts them in a legal grey area, allowing them to offer real money casino games to U.S. players. However, WA gambling laws make it illegal to play on offshore sites, even if you can access them.
Beyond that, without any real regulation, you cannot be sure your money or data will be safe. If you lose access to your account, you may not get it back. And there are no legal options to settle disputes. We very strongly recommend against using offshore gambling sites.
The Washington State Gambling Commission could be tapped to regulate online gambling. They currently oversee all gambling licensing and activity. But it's likely the organization would need to expand to handle the additional challenges of people playing online.
Let's take a look at what kind of gaming options Washington players can access. Here are the gambling choices they can find at tribal casinos and online.
Slots range from old mechanical machines to new modern games with great graphics and all-digital displays. There's a wide range of themes and gameplay options.
Table games include classics like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and poker. There are also newer specialty games, along with modern variants that make the games even more dynamic.
Charities and non-profits can hold bingo events to raise money. Some of the best WA online casinos have fun free versions of the game, too.
The Washington State Lottery offers scratch cards and a range of numbers games. They include the big multi-state jackpot draws and keno.
Washington gambling laws actually prohibit Daily Fantasy Sports. You'll have to travel to be a virtual GM and compete for cash prizes.
As online gambling continues to expand in more and more states, pressure will mount for Washington online casinos to be legalized. Yes, 30 states have legal online sports betting. And yes, seven states have legal online casino games. But any attempts to push forward that type of legislation in WA have failed.
Still, with the arrival of retail sports betting and tribal casinos thriving, there is hope. Legislators may eventually decide that the economic opportunity is too great to ignore.
Recent years have seen steps forward when it comes to expanded gambling options. As we mentioned, people now have both retail casino and sports betting options. However, the state government is firmly against legalizing online gambling.
That said, many states have used online gambling as a tool for funding programs and boosting the economy. We expect more proposals to be put forward. And as more states allow online gambling, there will be more pressure for Washington to follow suit.






Joss Wood has over a decade of experience reviewing and comparing the top online casinos in the world to ensure players find their favorite place to play. Joss is also a specialist when it comes to breaking down what casino bonuses add value and where to find the promotions you don't want to miss.
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