The Evergreen State is weighing tribal online sportsbook expansion, including college bets, amid integrity and regulatory concerns.
Photo By - Reuters Connect. A general overall aerial view of the Space Needle and downtown skyline. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Lawmakers in the state of Washington again discussed an online sports betting expansion bill Friday, continuing conversation about what could be a first-of-its-kind regulatory environment.
Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow multiple online sportsbooks to operate on tribal lands, creating a first-of-its-kind regulatory model. The legislation would expand betting to include in-state college teams and certain player props, drawing opposition over athlete integrity and harassment concerns. Supporters argue the bill would shift existing demand from unregulated offshore sites to regulated platforms without increasing overall gambling activity. A House committee heard testimony about a bill that would allow access to multiple online sportsbooks on tribal lands. In Washington, as well as other states that only permit in-person betting, a bettor can only wager on premises at a casino with that facility’s lone sportsbook partner. For example, a bettor may be able to use DraftKings but not FanDuel. This bill would allow access to any mobile sportsbook partnered with one of the state’s more than 30 brick-and-mortar casinos.The legislation discussed Friday passed the Senate 41-8 earlier this month. The House State Government Committee is scheduled to vote next week on advancing the bill to additional committees, which from there could lead to a final vote on the House floor. Washington has some of the nation’s strictest online gambling laws and is one of a handful of states where daily fantasy sports operators do not accept customers. Though there is little political appetite for legal statewide mobile sports wagering, the bill would increase Washington bettors’ options. Washington is one of eight states that allow betting on tribal lands or other designated areas, but not from anywhere within state lines. Thirty-one states allow statewide mobile wagering.The bill would also allow betting on in-state college teams and out-of-state individual college athlete player props, a provision that has proved more controversial. Opponents of the provisions have argued it could impact competition integrity and increase student harassment from losing bettors. Multiple representatives from Washington State University testified against the billRepresentatives from the University of Washington, the state’s other major public school with a Division I athletic program, have not opposed betting on in-state team results but remain opposed to allowing individual player prop bets on in-state athletes.A handful of states, including New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Illinois, ban all bets involving in-state college teams. Roughly two dozen states have some limitations on college player prop bets. Gaming stakeholders have countered that the regulated market is the best way to combat illegal activity. They argue hundreds of unregulated, offshore betting sites are available in all 50 states and offer no know-your-customer or anti-money laundering protections. Testifying in support of the bill at Friday’s hearing, Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino CEO Yale Rowe said the proposed bill was not expected to increase gambling demand but “reroute it” to regulated sites. “This is a modest update, but an important one that improves the fan experience while replacing the black market with accountability,” Rowe said. “It ensures that when people choose to participate, they do so in a system that is fair, legal, and transparent.” Ryan is a Senior Editor at Covers reporting on gaming industry legislative, regulatory, corporate, and financial news. He has reported on gaming since the Supreme Court struck down the federal sports wagering ban in 2018. Based in Tampa, Ryan graduated from the University of Florida with a major in Journalism and a minor in Sport Management. Before reporting on gaming, Ryan was a sports and political journalist in Florida and Virginia. He covered Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine and the rest of the Virginia Congressional delegation during the 2016 election cycle. He also worked as Sports Editor of the Chiefland Citizen and Digital Editor for the Sarasota Observer.Massachusetts Sports Betting Handle Spikes 6.1% YoY in JanuaryIf you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.
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