In an effort to potentially expand one of the most limited legal sports betting markets in the country, Washington lawmakers on Friday debated lifting restrictions on internet sportsbooks at tribal casinos and prohibiting in-state college betting.
Essential Takeaways
Legislators in Washington are debating whether to let wagers on in-state collegiate teams while prohibiting player props for players from the state.
Instead of having just one exclusive partner, the law would allow tribal casinos to provide several mobile sportsbook operators on tribal territories. Advocates claim that while preserving the state’s more extensive mobile betting regulations, the modifications would help Washington compete with offshore gaming.
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The bill would prohibit individual player props from collegiate athletes competing for Washington-based teams while permitting wagers on in-state college sports teams. Additionally, the law would permit tribes to take mobile sports bets from any state-licensed bookmaker, not just their sole partner.
The legislation was first discussed in public by lawmakers during Friday’s hearing. There is no timeframe for additional action, and no vote was held.
Washington has some of the tightest rules restricting mobile gambling in the country, while being one of the 39 states where sports betting is permitted. Rep. Sharlett Mena, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, stated during Friday’s committee meeting that the law was proposed to help Washington stay up with offshore books and prediction market sports event contracts that are already functioning in the state.There might be more in the future, but I believe this is just the first step to attempt to catch up with the market,” Mena stated.
Growth in college betting
The bill would allow tribal sportsbooks to take individual player prop bets on college athletes, such as points scored. It would prohibit such bets on players at Washington schools, such as the University of Washington or Gonzaga, but would allow prop bets on those in-state teams’ opponents.
“We currently offer for professional Washington teams but not for college Washington teams, and in the absence of a legal option it hasn’t stopped sports betting,” Mena said. “It’s simply pushed it into the shadows where college sports wagering already happens through offshore and illegal markets. This bill would bring this activity into our regulatory structure.”
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