Title 9 — Title 9 CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

The public policy of the state of Washington on gambling is to keep the criminal element out of gambling and to promote the social welfare of the people by limiting the nature and scope of gambling activities and by strict regulation and control.It is hereby declared to be the po…

"Amusement game," as used in this chapter, means a game played for entertainment in which:(1) The contestant actively participates;(2) The outcome depends in a material degree upon the skill of the contestant;(3) Only merchandise prizes are awarded;(4) The outcome is not in the c…

"Bingo," as used in this chapter, means a game in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols on a card conforming to numbers or symbols selected at random and in which no cards are sold except at the time and place of the game, when the game is conduct…

(1)(a) "Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization," as used in this chapter, means:(i) Any organization duly existing under the provisions of chapter 24.12, 24.20, or 24.28 RCW, any agricultural fair authorized under the provisions of chapter 15.76 or 36.37 RCW, or any nonpr…

"Bookmaking," as used in this chapter, means accepting bets, upon the outcome of future contingent events, as a business or in which the bettor is charged a fee or "vigorish" for the opportunity to place a bet.[ 1991 c 261 s 1; 1987 c 4 s 5. Formerly RCW 9.46.020(4).]

"Commercial stimulant," as used in this chapter, means an activity is operated as a commercial stimulant, for the purposes of this chapter, only when it is an activity operated in connection with an established business, with the purpose of increasing the volume of sales of food …

"Commission," as used in this chapter, means the Washington state gambling commission created in RCW 9.46.040.[ 1987 c 4 s 7. Formerly RCW 9.46.020(6).]

"Contest of chance," as used in this chapter, means any contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein.[ 1987 c 4 s 8. Formerly …

"Fishing derby," as used in this chapter, means a fishing contest, with or without the payment or giving of an entry fee or other consideration by some or all of the contestants, wherein prizes are awarded for the species, size, weight, or quality of fish caught in a bona fide fi…

(1) "Fund-raising event," as used in this chapter, means a fund-raising event conducted during any seventy-two consecutive hours but exceeding twenty-four consecutive hours and not more than once in any calendar year or a fund-raising event conducted not more than twice each cale…

"Gambling," as used in this chapter, means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive somet…

"Gambling device," as used in this chapter, means: (1) Any device or mechanism the operation of which a right to money, credits, deposits or other things of value may be created, in return for a consideration, as the result of the operation of an element of chance, including, but…

"Gambling information," as used in this chapter, means any wager made in the course of and any information intended to be used for professional gambling. In the application of this definition, information as to wagers, betting odds and changes in betting odds shall be presumed to…

"Gambling premises," as used in this chapter, means any building, room, enclosure, vehicle, vessel or other place used or intended to be used for professional gambling. In the application of this definition, any place where a gambling device is found shall be presumed to be inten…

"Gambling record," as used in this chapter, means any record, receipt, ticket, certificate, token, slip or notation given, made, used or intended to be used in connection with professional gambling.[ 1987 c 4 s 14. Formerly RCW 9.46.020(13).]

"Lottery," as used in this chapter, means a scheme for the distribution of money or property by chance, among persons who have paid or agreed to pay a valuable consideration for the chance.[ 1987 c 4 s 15. Formerly RCW 9.46.020(14).]

"Member" and "bona fide member," as used in this chapter, mean a person accepted for membership in an organization eligible to be licensed by the commission under this chapter upon application, with such action being recorded in the official minutes of a regular meeting or who ha…

"Player," as used in this chapter, means a natural person who engages, on equal terms with the other participants, and solely as a contestant or bettor, in any form of gambling in which no person may receive or become entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal g…

(1) A person is engaged in "professional gambling" for the purposes of this chapter when:(a) Acting other than as a player or in the manner authorized by this chapter, the person knowingly engages in conduct which materially aids any form of gambling activity; or(b) Acting other …

"Punchboards" and "pull-tabs," as used in this chapter, shall be given their usual and ordinary meaning as of July 16, 1973, except that such definition may be revised by the commission pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.[ 1987 c 4 s 19. Former…

"Raffle," as used in this chapter, means a game in which tickets bearing an individual number are sold for not more than one hundred dollars each and in which a prize or prizes are awarded on the basis of a drawing from the tickets by the person or persons conducting the game, wh…

"Social card game" as used in this chapter means a card game that constitutes gambling and is authorized by the commission under RCW 9.46.070. Authorized card games may include a house-banked or a player-funded banked card game. No one may participate in the card game or have an …

"Thing of value," as used in this chapter, means any money or property, any token, object or article exchangeable for money or property, or any form of credit or promise, directly or indirectly, contemplating transfer of money or property or of any interest therein, or involving …

"Whoever" and "person," as used in this chapter, include natural persons, corporations and partnerships and associations of persons; and when any corporate officer, director or stockholder or any partner authorizes, participates in, or knowingly accepts benefits from any violatio…

The legislature hereby authorizes the wagering on the outcome of the roll of dice or the flipping of or matching of coins on the premises of an establishment engaged in the business of selling food or beverages for consumption on the premises to determine which of the participant…

The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games, and fund-raising events, and to utilize punchboards and pull-tabs and to allow their premises and facilities to be used by only members, their guest…

Bona fide charitable or bona fide nonprofit organizations organized primarily for purposes other than the conduct of raffles, are hereby authorized to conduct raffles without obtaining a license to do so from the commission when such raffles are held in accordance with all other …

Bona fide charitable or bona fide nonprofit organizations organized primarily for purposes other than the conduct of such activities are hereby authorized to conduct bingo, raffles, and amusement games, without obtaining a license to do so from the commission but only when:(1) Su…

(1) A bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, as defined in RCW 9.46.0209, whose primary purpose is serving individuals with intellectual disabilities may conduct enhanced raffles if licensed by the commission.(2) The commission has the authority to approve two enhanced r…

The legislature hereby authorizes any person, association or organization operating an established business primarily engaged in the selling of food or drink for consumption on the premises to conduct social card games and to utilize punchboards and pull-tabs as a commercial stim…

The legislature hereby authorizes any person to conduct or operate amusement games when licensed and operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations adopted by the commission at such locations as the commission may authorize. The rules shall provide …

The legislature hereby authorizes any person, association, or organization to conduct sports pools without a license to do so from the commission but only when the outcome of which is dependent upon the score, or scores, of a certain athletic contest and which is conducted only i…

The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations to conduct, without the necessity of obtaining a permit or license to do so from the commission, golfing sweepstakes permitting wagers of money, and the same shall not constitute such gambling or lo…

The legislature hereby authorizes bowling establishments to conduct, without the necessity of obtaining a permit or license to do so, as a commercial stimulant, a bowling activity which permits bowlers to purchase tickets from the establishment for a predetermined and posted amou…

(1) The legislature hereby authorizes any bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization which is licensed pursuant to RCW 66.24.400, and its officers and employees, to allow the use of the premises, furnishings, and other facilities not gambling devices of such organization by m…

(1) The legislature authorizes:(a) A business to conduct a promotional contest of chance as defined in this section, in this state, or partially in this state, whereby the elements of prize and chance are present but in which the element of consideration is not present;(b) A fina…

The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations to conduct, without the necessity of obtaining a permit or license to do so from the commission, turkey shoots permitting wagers of money. Such contests shall not constitute such gambling or lottery…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6137.SL) ***(1) Upon the request of a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribes in the state of Washington, the tribe's class III gaming compact may be amended pursuant to the Indian gaming regulatory act, 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2701 et seq., and RCW 9.46.36…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6137.SL) ***The transmission of gambling information over the internet for any sports wagering conducted and operated under this section and RCW 9.46.0364 is authorized, provided that the wager may be placed and accepted at a tribe's gaming facility on…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6137.SL) ***(1) No person shall offer, promise, give, or attempt to give any thing of value to any person for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a sporting event, athletic event, or competition upon which a wager may be made.(2) No person shall …

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6137.SL) ***(1)(a) For purposes of this chapter, "sports wagering" means the business of accepting wagers on any of the following sporting events, athletic events, or competitions by any system or method of wagering:(i) A professional sport or athletic…

(1) A person may not hold, conduct, or operate live greyhound racing for public exhibition, parimutuel betting, or special exhibition events, if such activities are conducted for gambling purposes. A person may not transmit or receive intrastate or interstate simulcasting of grey…

There shall be a commission, known as the "Washington state gambling commission", consisting of five members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The members of the commission shall be appointed within thirty days of July 16, 1973 for terms beginning July 1, …

(1) Upon appointment of the initial membership the commission shall meet at a time and place designated by the governor and proceed to organize, electing one of such members as chair of the commission who shall serve until July 1, 1974; thereafter a chair shall be elected annuall…

(1) The attorney general shall be general counsel for the state gambling commission and shall assign such assistants as may be necessary in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, which shall include instituting and prosecuting any actions and proceedings necess…

The commission shall have the following powers and duties:(1) To authorize and issue licenses for a period not to exceed one year to bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations approved by the commission meeting the requirements of this chapter and any rules and regulations a…

The commission may allow existing licensees under RCW 9.46.070(1) to share facilities at one location.[ 2002 c 369 s 2.]

(1) The legislature recognizes that some individuals in this state are negatively impacted by problem gambling and gambling disorder. Because the state promotes and regulates gambling through the activities of the state lottery commission, the Washington horse racing commission, …

An entity licensed under RCW 9.46.070(1) which conducts or allows its premises to be used for conducting bingo on more than three occasions per week shall include the following statement in any advertising or promotion of gambling activity conducted by the licensee:"CAUTION: Part…

The commission may deny an application, or suspend or revoke any license or permit issued by it, for any reason or reasons, it deems to be in the public interest. These reasons shall include, but not be limited to, cases wherein the applicant or licensee, or any person with any i…