Washington state is among the most unaccommodating states when it comes to gambling. If you want to play at a licensed online casino in Washington, you're out of luck, as only free online slots are available. While real-money online casinos are not yet legal, Washington state is also one of the very few states that do not allow sweepstakes casinos.
Washington is one of the strictest states in the US when it comes to online gambling. If any online gambling has a remote chance of legalization, it’s sports betting and poker. Many casinos have already found sports betting partners. For example, Muckleshoot Casino launched its Caesars Sportsbook app in 2024.
Washington land-based casinos offer punters a wide array of gambling options. They offer many slots, allowing you to choose your preferred theme, features, volatility, and RTP. In addition to traditional options like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, you’ll find dice games, casino poker games, video poker, and fortune wheel games, among others.
There are also other fun options, including horse racing, poker, and sports betting. Even though some casinos offer sports betting apps, you must be physically located within the casino to use them. Entering 2025, Washington was home to 20 poker rooms serving the most popular poker games like Texas Hold ’Em and Omaha.
Real-money online casinos and sweepstakes casinos are prohibited, leaving Gambino Slots’ free online slots as the only option. Even though you can’t win real money in Washington, you can play for virtual coins at Gambino Slots.
We have included the Return to Player (RTP) of casino games, but what exactly is it? RTP gives you an idea of how much you can expect to win over time on average. If a game has an RTP of 95%, you can expect to receive $95 for every $100 staked.
Remember that RTP is an average calculated over the long term. It isn’t a guarantee. Also, RTP applies to all casino games. Knowing what RTP means makes choosing the best game for you easier. We suggest that beginners start with high RTP games as they usually offer the biggest payouts on average over time.
Washington lawmakers seem hell-bent on keeping online gambling out of the state. Several bills for legalizing online casinos have been put forward over the years, but none have come close to passing through the legislature. While sports betting was legalized in 2021, it is only allowed in land-based tribal casinos. Similarly, poker is only offered at tribal casinos and not online.
Nevertheless, there are many offshore online casinos available in Washington. These sites accept players from Washington state. However, you must understand that these sites don’t offer levels of player protection. If you play at an offshore site, research it to ensure it’s on the level and has a solid reputation. There is very little you can do if they rip you off. After all, the Washington State Gambling Commission has no jurisdiction in other countries.
Washington players can only play for free at an online slots casino or sign up for an online casino in a different state.
If you are outside of WA and looking to play at a legal online casino, you will be asked to complete verification processes to play and withdraw funds. Verification is usually fast, but it may take up to a few days depending on the online casino.
As online casinos and sweepstakes sites aren’t legal in Washington, you won’t be able to find any popular casino banking methods.
You must be at least 21 to play casino games in Washington state. However, you only need to be 18 to participate in activities like the lottery, pull tabs, bingo, and pari-mutuel betting. That said, the only legal options for casino gaming in the Evergreen State are tribal casinos and free online slots. All forms of online casino gaming, including Washington sweepstakes casinos, are not yet legal.
Only those who are 21 or older are allowed to enter and play games at Washington’s 31 tribal casinos. This applies to residents and visitors to the state. Some Washington tribal casinos have other house rules, such as dress codes. As with online casinos, you may be asked to produce various forms of ID when you cash out your winnings.
If Washington had social or real-money casinos, they would be regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC). The WSGC oversees all gambling in the state. The regulator was established in 1973 and has over 100 full-time staff. The commission’s mission is to protect the public by ensuring that gambling in the state is legal and honest.
Gambino Slots offers a variety of bonuses and promotions, such as their no deposit bonus, allowing you to claim free coins and spins just for signing up for a new account. They also offer generous daily offers, such as a daily wheel spin and social media giveaways for linking your Facebook account.
Mobile apps make playing your favorite free online slots games much easier. The site is already optimized for mobile browsers, but the mobile app will offer a more enhanced and enjoyable slots experience.
As you can see, Washington wants nothing to do with online gambling. It doesn’t even like social casinos. How did we get here? To gain some insight, let’s check out a brief timeline of the evolution of gambling in Washington state.
Washington legalizes wagering on horse races.
Washington legalizes raffles and bingo.
The Washington State Gambling Commission is created.
Card rooms are legalized.
Charitable fundraising casino events are authorized.
Washington’s state lottery is launched.
The introduction of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allows Washington’s tribes to operate casinos.
The Lummi and Tulalip Tribes open the state’s first tribal casinos.
The legislature explicitly bans online gambling, including Washington social casinos.
Bill HB 2638 legalizes sports betting at tribal casinos.
A bill to allow online sports betting outside tribal casinos fails.
As it stands, Washington does not have any active bills related to online casino gaming. Don’t expect to see any in the next few years, either.
When we talk about legal online casinos in Washington, we mean licensed and legal sites in the state. However, no legal online casinos in Washington hold a license with the WSGC. An example of a legal online casino would be BetMGM Casino in Michigan. That site is legal and licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Offshore sites are online casinos that are licensed and based in foreign regions. However, it’s important to remember that offshore sites do not offer the same level of player protection as a licensed Washington online casino would. Be diligent and proceed cautiously if you play at an offshore online casino.
Washington state has 31 tribal casinos. We have conveniently listed them below and the number of games each offers.
Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma opened its doors in 2020. The $400 million venue boasts over 310,000 square feet, including a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor. The Puyallup Tribe owns and operates the casino, which offers a Vegas-style experience that includes live entertainment, loads of dining options, and a 155-room on-site hotel.
Muckleshoot Casino opened in 1995. However, it completed a huge renovation project in 2024 and was renamed Muckleshoot Casino Resort. The main attraction is the 157,000-square-foot gaming floor, which boasts about 3,500 slots and 50+ gaming tables. The venue also offers a brand-new 401-room hotel along with dining options and amenities like a spa, swimming pool, and entertainment venue.
Owned and operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, the Ilani Casino Resort opened in 2017. It has since made significant additions, including a 14-story hotel, more dining establishments, and a convention center. The facility covers 368,000 square feet, with 100,000 square feet consumed by a gaming floor that features around 3,000 slots and 75 gaming tables. You can also bet on sports at the sportsbook in Stadium Sports Bar and Grill or any betting kiosks throughout the casino.
No. Washington state’s legislature explicitly banned online gambling in 2006. The only form of online gambling currently allowed is sports betting, although bets can only be placed while you are at the partnering land-based casino venue.
Washington does not have sweepstakes casinos. The Evergreen State is one of the few American states that prohibits them. Instead, players’ only option is free-to-play slots games at Gambino Slots.
No online casinos are operating in Washington. The only option is to play free online slots games, which don’t allow any real money winnings or cash prizes. Some players have taken their chances at some offshore sites. However, remember that these casinos do not offer the same level of player protection as regulated Washington online casinos.
If Washington sweepstakes casinos or real-money casino sites existed, they would be safe, as they would be licensed and regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission.
Because online casinos in Washington don’t exist, casino buffs can’t claim bonuses or participate in promotions.