Washington State Senate Committee Endorses Tribal-Only Gambling Legislation on Sports Betting, Battling Sturdy Resistance
Washington State could soon allow tribal casinos to offer legal sports betting, but not without controversy. The bill ESHB 2638 recently advanced in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce and is under review by the Senate's Ways and Means Committee. The bill, if passed, would limit sports betting to on-premises at these casinos and exclude card rooms.
While gaming brings the threat of addiction and corruption, lawmakers believe it's wise to start small and see how citizens react. However, opponents such as Nevada-based Maverick Gaming LLC, which owns several card rooms, argue that limiting the market to tribal-only casinos will result in an unfair exclusion from the market.
The bill received strong support due to an emergency section aimed at fast-tracking sports betting investigations. It provides $6 million in funding to the Washington State Gambling Commission, which must be repaid with interest by June 2021. Critics argue this clause is meant to prevent public input and create a monopoly.
Sen. Maureen Walsh, a Republican, expressed disappointment that the bill only opens the market to tribal casinos and not others. Oregon has already legalized sports betting, making it crucial for Washington to protect revenue from its sovereign nations and combat illicit activities, some committee members argued.
The legislative session is set to end on March 12. If the bill passes the full Legislature while it is in session, it will be sent to Governor Jay Inslee for approval. As of now, legal sports betting in Washington State remains limited to tribal casinos on tribal lands, with no mobile betting expanded beyond these casinos1.
- Bettors in Marysville may soon have more options for sports betting as the bill ESHB 2638, under review by the Senate's Ways and Means Committee, proposes to allow tribal casinos to offer legal sports wagering.
- Senator Maureen Walsh and some committee members argue that limiting sports-betting to tribal casinos alone is necessary to protect revenue from Washington's sovereign nations and curb illicit activities, as neighboring Oregon has already legalized sports betting.
- Opponents such as Maverick Gaming LLC, which owns several card rooms, assert that excluding them from the market would be unfair and potentially stifle competition.
- The Washington State Gambling Commission, if the bill passes, will receive $6 million in funding for sports-betting investigations, but critics argue that this clause could create a monopoly and discourage public input.
