Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson diversified the state’s retail sports betting market by signing a bill that allows residents and visitors to wager on in-state college sporting events.
Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6137 as a piece of legislation that allows bettors in Washington to wager on in-state college sports teams. The bill, coined as the Sports Wagering Integrity Act, only allows wagering on in-state collegiate sports events at tribal casinos.
Washington is a regulated U.S. gaming market that only authorizes wagering at tribal casinos. The state sanctions both retail and online wagering, with mobile betting available in the state if conducted within the confines of a brick-and-mortar tribal casino.
“This bill strengthens a model that protects consumers and respects tribal sovereignty, ensuring that any wagering happens within a framework that has worked for decades,” said Washington Indian Gaming Association Executive Director Rebecca George.
“At a time when new products are trying to blur the lines around what is and isn’t gambling, Washington is choosing clarity”.
Ferguson’s signature of SB 6137 also places limitations on in-state college sports wagering.
The measure prohibits sportsbooks from offering college player prop markets for athletes playing for in-state schools. The provision was added as an amendment to protect student-athletes, coaches and staff from gambling-related harassment in the Evergreen State.
The ban on certain college-related wagers also extends to coaching and officiating decisions made throughout games and competitions involving Washington institutions.
Anti-harassment provision added to SB 6137
SB 6137 includes an anti-harassment provision amid the authorization of college markets.
Under the measure, “no person shall knowingly threaten a sports official, coach, or participant involved in a sporting event, athletic event, or competition upon which a wager may be made where the threat is related to a wager . . .”.
A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if the person threatens to cause bodily harm, to cause physical damage, or provides reasonable fear that a threat will be carried out. A violator of the provision is also subject to a ban on all sports wagering in Washington.
SB 6137’s rules will go into effect on June 11.
Washington AG wants to protect the state’s gaming market
Ferguson has loosened Washington’s sports betting rules as state Attorney General Nick Brown takes legal action against Kalshi for allegedly offering illegal gambling.
Brown filed a suit against Kalshi in a Superior Court alleging the prediction market violates state gaming and consumer protection laws. In the suit, the AG is requesting the court to ban Kalshi from operating in Washington and to levy civil penalties against the company.
