Suddenly, an Onslaught of Sports Betting Legislation Proposals in Washington State
In the Washington state legislature, two bills concerning tribal sports betting have made an appearance recently. Neither of these bills, HB 2478 and the companion bill 6277 in the Senate, mention a "royalty" or enforce "official league data." These bills allow for sports betting on tribal lands.
The more all-encompassing bill, HB 2478, filed by Representative Brandon Vick,includes provisions for state-wide online/mobile wagering, betting at tribal casinos, card rooms, and horse racetracks. This bill proposes a 10 percent tax rate on gross gaming revenue for card rooms and horse racetracks, a $500,000 application fee, and a college carve out for Washington-based schools. The bill allows for state-wide mobile with only one skin per licensee, and the mobile platform must be connected to a tribal casino facility.
One aspect of the bill that might cause some controversy among potential operators is the Washington State Gambling Commission's ability to set the maximum wager allowed. However, this provision has already been removed in the draft. Another point to note is that operators won't be able to keep 100 percent of unclaimed tickets - they'll have to give half to a problem gambling fund.
HB 2368, the more narrow bill, allows only tribal sports betting with on-site mobile. No tax or licensing framework is outlined in the bill, but it does provide an opportunity for professional sports leagues and the NCAA to offer comments during rule-making.
The legislature's 60-day session, taking place in a non-budget year, means both bills face a tight deadline. Bills will need to make it out of committee by the first week of February to have a chance of reaching the governor's desk.
Washington's sports betting landscape mirrors that of its southern neighbor, Oregon, which currently has legal sports betting. Oregon was the first state to launch mobile sports betting via the state lottery in October. As for California, a coalition of tribes is seeking to put a sports wagering referendum on the November ballot, and lawmakers held an informational meeting early in January.
If Washington legalizes sports betting, it will join Oregon as the only West Coast states with legal sports betting. The state already boasts over 30 tribal casinos and an active racetrack at Emerald Downs near Seattle, as well as numerous card rooms, though their numbers are dwindling.
- In the Washington state legislature, the more all-encompassing bill, HB 2478, permits tribal sports betting not only on tribal lands but also on state-wide online/mobile platforms, card rooms, and horse racetracks.
- HB 2478, filed by Representative Brandon Vick, requires a 10 percent tax rate on gross gaming revenue for card rooms and horse racetracks, and proposes a college carve out for Washington-based schools.
- The less comprehensive bill, HB 2368, only allows tribal sports betting with on-site mobile, providing an opportunity for professional sports leagues and the NCAA to offer comments during rule-making.
- Operators in Washington state, if the bills are passed, won't be able to keep 100 percent of unclaimed tickets, as they'll have to contribute half to a problem gambling fund.
- In January, Oregon, the state's southern neighbor, was the first to launch mobile sports betting via the state lottery, hinting at a potential follow-up from Washington if sports-betting legislation is passed in January 2023, making Washington and Oregon the only West Coast states with legal sports betting.
