Washington regulator approves sports wagering licensing rules

Washington

The Washington State Gambling Commission has voted to unanimously approve sports wagering licensing rules, which the regulator says will become effective on August 30, 2021.

This latest green-light will permit licences to be issued to vendors who have completed the licensing process on or after August 30, 2021, however, they will still need to have licences approved by Tribal Gaming Agencies and the Gambling Commission before they can begin providing services.

Despite this significant hurdle being cleared, sports wagering at tribal casinos still have to wait for compact amendments, which has thus far been agreed by Governor Jay Inslee and 16 tribes, to be approved by the Department of Interior.

A ruling is anticipated during the latter stages of August or early September, which could feasibly clear the way for bets to be taken in time for the NFL season opener on September 9.

“I am very grateful for all the hard work Commission staff put into getting these rules finalised since we reached agreements with our tribal regulatory partners in May,” commented Bud Sizemore, chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission.

“This ushers in a new era for regulated sports wagering in Washington State and Washington citizens will be able to access tribal sportsbooks of the highest integrity in the near future. 

“My hope is that the completion of these licensing rules will allow us to work more closely with our tribal and national regulatory partners and local sports teams and leagues to better address the sports wagering black market so that we can continue to protect the public by keeping gambling legal and honest.”

Currently the sixteen tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Lummi Nation, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, Spokane Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Suquamish Tribe, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip Tribe of Washington, and Skokomish Indian Tribe, have approved sports wagering compact amendments before the US Department of Interior for review and approval.