Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington has officially enacted a new law enabling tribal casinos to facilitate betting on college sports. Nonetheless, state authorities have imposed specific limitations on these new gambling activities.
On Monday, Ferguson endorsed Senate Bill 6137, which permits betting on college athletics at tribal gaming venues. Importantly, the legislation prohibits betting on games involving colleges based in Washington or events held within state lines. Additionally, wagers on minor league sports, like those featuring the Tacoma Rainiers, are still not allowed.
Restrictions on Approved Betting Markets
According to Washington law, gaming establishments cannot accept wagers on college sports managed by Washington institutions, events occurring in Washington, minor league sports, or contests with predetermined outcomes known as “past postings.”
The state also continues to forbid bracket pools, office-based sports pools, and fantasy sports, including those associated with the NCAA Final Four.
Regulations for Tribal Sportsbooks
The new legislation establishes criteria for tribal casinos that intend to offer sports betting. Sportsbooks must operate on tribal gaming premises, and employees cannot provide specific wager advice to patrons, although they may engage in general advertising and address general inquiries.
Mobile betting must be restricted using geofencing to patrons physically present at the venue, and operators are required to publish the types of available wagers. Furthermore, sports bets cannot be transferred between customers.
Limits on Bet Types and Event Outcomes
The regulations prohibit proposition bets associated with individual player performance, coaching strategies like substitutions or timeouts, and officiating outcomes, including foul calls or game rules.
Proposition betting refers to wagering on specific player statistics, such as points scored, assists, or minutes played.
“Sports betting should never jeopardize the safety of athletes or officials,” stated State Rep. Chris Stearns, who advocated for this provision. “These amendments aim to uphold the game’s integrity and protect those who make sports entertaining.”
Measures to Combat Harassment and Ensure Participant Safety
The legislation incorporates penalties for threats made against individuals involved in athletic events. A person threatening a coach or official may be charged with a gross misdemeanor.
“As online abuse and harassment become increasingly prevalent, it’s vital we safeguard student athletes by appropriately regulating sports betting on college sports in our state,” remarked State Sen. Adrian Cortes.
“This legislation reinforces a framework that protects consumers while respecting tribal sovereignty, ensuring that all betting transpires within a regulatory structure that has proven effective for years,” stated Rebecca George, executive director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association. “In an era where new products challenge traditional gambling norms, Washington prioritizes transparency.”
Eligibility Controls for Participants in Wagering
Gaming operators are mandated to ensure that prohibited individuals are unable to place wagers. These include individuals under 18, proxies, athletes whose performances could affect outcomes, individuals privy to confidential information, authority figures over participants, and individuals flagged by sports governing entities and regulators.
These restrictions also extend to individuals connected to sporting events, including players, coaches, officials, trainers, medical staff, team personnel, and employees of governing organizations.