Most traditional online casinos accept deposits from Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Be aware, though, that some providers treat deposits at casinos as cash advances, which can result in fees.
Washington Online Casinos
Ever since Washington state lawmakers passed legislation in 2006 making it a felony to gamble online, the Evergreen State has been one of the least friendly toward any sort of online gambling. However, the state does allow other forms of gambling, meaning residents have a variety of ways to play, just not online.
Washington has a large number of tribal casinos as well as many non-tribal, house-banked card rooms scattered throughout the state. There’s a lottery and charitable gaming, and recently sports betting became legal. Online gambling remains prohibited, however, which includes online casinos and poker sites.
Here’s an overview of gambling in Washington from us at PlayUSA, including its history concerning online gambling and some discussion of the prospects for online casinos going forward.
Online gambling in Washington State snapshot
Most forms of online gambling are illegal in Washington State. The only exception is pari-mutuel wagering at online racebooks such as TwinSpires, TVG, and FanDuel Racing.
Type of Gambling | Status | Gambling Age |
Online casino | Unavailable | Likely 21 |
Sweepstakes casino | Unavailable | Likely 18 |
Social casino | Available | 18 |
Online lottery | Unavailable | Likely 18 |
Online poker | Unavailable | Likely 21 |
Online sports betting | Unavailable | Likely 21 |
Online horse racing | Available | 18 |
Daily fantasy sports | Unavailable | Likely 18 |
Latest Washington gambling news
- Jan. 26, 2024 – A bill to establish a gambling treatment diversion court in Washington is under consideration in the legislature.
- Nov. 20, 2023 – Amazon is facing a lawsuit in Washington State for actively promoting “illegal” and “addictive” social casino applications.
- Oct. 17, 2023 – Snoqualmie Casino announced a renewed partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, extending a contract that started in 2018.
- Aug. 2, 2023 – Snoqualmie Casino has announced that it will offer a Beat the Point Spread Pigskin Challenge during the upcoming NFL season.
- July 23, 2023 – The Washington State Gaming Commission approved an increase on the maximum bets at cardrooms in the state.
- July 14, 2023 – The Washington State Lottery surpassed $1 billion in sales for the first time with less than a day remaining in the fiscal year.
- July 10, 2023 – Maverick Gaming, a cardroom operator in Washington, has filed a brief with the US Court of Appeals in its continued effort to operate Washington sports betting at its facilities.
- July 7, 2023 – Four Washington State tribes tentatively agree to new gaming compact amendments. Amendments will go before the state legislature on July 10.
- July 6, 2023 – All-Star Lanes & Casino in Silverdale, Washington, is now part of Maverick Gaming’s operations in the state. Maverick now owns 23 cardrooms in Washington.
Legal online casino options in Washington State
Washington is one of just four states that prohibit promotional sweepstakes play at casino sites, along with Idaho, Michigan, and Nevada. For that reason, most social and sweepstakes casinos do not accept players based in Washington State.
However, a few sites allow Washington residents to play games for fun. You cannot claim premium coins or redeem cash prizes at these sites, but they still offer an enjoyable experience, and they also allow you to master table games like blackjack before visiting a tribal casino in Washington.
High 5 Casino
High 5 Casino is an established social casino that launched in 2013. The site accepts players in every state, but sweeps play is unavailable in Washington, Michigan, Nevada, and Idaho. Anyone aged 18 or older can enjoy slots, scratchcards, and table games at High 5 Casino in Washington. You can play with Gold Coins, which have no monetary value, and there are various ways to earn these coins for free.
Funzpoints Casino
Funzpoints is a new sweepstakes casino that hosts approximately 90 exclusive slots. You can play these games for entertainment purposes in Washington, but you will not be permitted to switch to premium mode and redeem coins for cash prizes. Players can spin the Funzwheel every three hours, which provides you with extra coins, so you can keep enjoying the games.
BetRivers.net
This popular social casino is available in every state. BetRivers.net does not provide sweepstakes play, as it is purely designed for entertainment. The site offers a huge selection of slots, virtual table games, and live dealer games, so it is a great option for anyone that wants to practice games like blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat.
Pros and cons to social casinos in Washington
Social casinos are the only sites available to Washington State residents that want to play slots and table games online. They provide several advantages, but there are also some drawbacks to these sites.
- Washington residents can enjoy hundreds of online casino games for fun, without risking their own money.
- These sites allow you to master popular games like blackjack, video poker, and craps before visiting a tribal casino in Washington State.
- There are lots of ways to earn free coins at social casinos, including no-purchase welcome bonuses and daily login bonuses.
- You cannot redeem premium coins for cash prizes or gift cards in Washington.
- Most social and sweeps casinos do not accept players based in Washington, as the state prohibits promotional sweepstakes play.
- Some games may only be available to players using premium coins, so you may not always be able to access the full range.
Are online casinos legal in Washington State?
No, online casinos are not legal in Washington. The Evergreen State also prohibits sweepstakes play at social and sweeps casinos. The Washington State Gaming Commission explains the situation in this guide.
In 2018, a federal appeals court ruled that social casino apps represent a form of illegal gambling under Washington State law. A $155 million settlement fund was approved in 2021 to compensate Washington residents that had spent money buying coins at a social casino site called Big Fish Casino.
As a result, most social and sweepstakes casinos steer well clear of Washington. A few social casino sites accept players based in the state, but you will not be permitted to purchase coins, unlock premium coins, or redeem prizes at those sites.
Will Washington regulate online gambling in the future?
Washington is unlikely to legalize online casinos in the future. The state has a large, thriving land-based gambling industry, but most forms of online gambling are illegal. There does not appear to be much appetite among legislators to change that situation.
The Evergreen State legalized sports betting at tribal casinos in March 2020, but any attempts to introduce online sports wagering have been unsuccessful. Washington is one of the few states to explicitly prohibit fantasy sports apps too, and we have already discussed its stance on sweepstakes casinos, so it has some of the strictest online gambling laws in the country.
Both the House and the Senate would need to approve an online casino bill, and the governor would then need to sign it into law. That seems like a distant prospect right now, as the legislature is not currently considering any online casino proposals, but we will update readers if that situation changes in the future.
What online casino games are available in Washington?
You can play hundreds of online casino games for fun in Washington. They are similar to the games found at the best US online casinos, which are legally available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and a few other states. These are the online casino games to explore in Washington State.
Washington retail casinos & cardrooms
There are 34 tribal casinos in Washington State, supporting 56,850 jobs, according to the American Gaming Association. Cardrooms are also widely available. These are the most popular casinos in Washington.
Why you should choose legal online casino options in Washington
It is important to only play casino games at legal sites in Washington, as they must uphold the state’s consumer protection laws.
Unregulated casinos may target players in Washington State, but you cannot trust them to host fair games, keep your data safe, or even to pay out when you ask for a withdrawal. Many American players have been cheated at unregulated sites, falling victim to rigged games, bonus scams, and other deceits.
These casino sites are based overseas, and they have no legal permission to operate in the United States, so you cannot complain to the authorities if you are scammed. We recommend avoiding unregulated casinos and sticking to legal social casino sites or land-based tribal casinos instead.
Online casino payment options in Washington
Players in Washington State cannot buy coins or redeem prizes at social casinos. If the Evergreen State legalizes traditional online casinos in the future, these are some of the payment methods you will be able to use.
PayPal Casinos
PayPal is the most popular digital wallet for online casino players in legal states. Players can use it for instant deposits, and PayPal is one of the fastest withdrawal options too.
All Banking Options
Other payment methods at traditional online casinos include ACH transfers, online banking, wire transfers, Play+ prepaid cards, cash at the cage, and PayNearMe.
Responsible gambling in Washington
There are lots of tribal casinos, cardrooms, and retail sportsbooks in Washington State, so it is important to gamble responsibly at those venues. Do not play with money that you can’t afford to lose. Treat gambling as a form of entertainment and not as a means to fulfill a financial need. Enjoy it in moderation.
If you need help, the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG) provides support for players in Washington State. The council runs a 24/7 helpline, so you can call or text 1-800-547-6133 for confidential advice, or you can chat with a Washington helpline specialist online. The ECPG can also provide referrals to free or low-cost treatment programs in Washington State.
You can also access nationwide problem gambling services. Call 1-800-GAMBLER to speak with a specialist at any time, or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling site for more resources, including a self-assessment quiz.
Washington online casinos FAQ
No, you cannot redeem cash prizes at social and sweepstakes casino sites in Washington State. Some social casinos allow Washington residents to play games for fun, but you cannot play with premium coins or redeem prizes in the Evergreen State.
High 5 Casino, Funzpoints, and BetRivers.net allow players in Washington State to enjoy social casino games. You can only play the games for fun, as prize redemptions are prohibited. Most social and sweepstakes casinos do not operate in Washington, as the state does not permit promotional sweepstakes play.
You can play online slots, video poker, table games, and variety games for fun in Washington State. Only a handful of social casinos accept players based in the Evergreen State, and they cannot offer promotional play with premium coins. However, you can play slots for fun and master table games before visiting a land-based casino.
Muckleshoot Casino Resort is now the largest tribal casino in Washington State. A major expansion was completed in 2024, resulting in an 18-story hotel, an expanded casino floor, and a new restaurant. There are more than 3,500 slots and various table games at Muckleshoot Casino Resort.
The Washington State Gambling Commission regulates card games, bingo, pull-tabs, and non-profit raffles. The tribes that run Native American casinos in Washington have their own gaming commissions, but they must uphold the terms of their gaming compacts. Meanwhile, the Washington Horse Racing Commission oversees pari-mutuel wagering, and the Washington Lottery Commission runs the state lottery.
Anyone aged 18 or older can play at tribal casinos in Washington State. Some casinos only accept players aged 21 or older, as they serve alcohol. You must be 18 or older to place pari-mutuel bets on horse races or to take part in charity bingo games and pull-tabs in Washington State.