Two Sports Betting Bills Presented To Washington State’s Lawmakers

Two new bills that look to legalize certain forms of sports betting have been introduced in Washington State and presented to lawmakers there.

Senate Labor and Commerce Committee is working on the Senate Bill 6277, while House Commerce and Gaming Committee is evaluating the accompanying HB 2478.

The Details of Two Bills

Sports Wagering Act – which is how SB 6277 is being referred to as well – will allow betting at authorized tribal casinos, card rooms and racetracks, as well as online.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Senators Curtis King and Ann Rivers…

…and it instates a 10% tax on sports betting revenue. Tax revenue that is collected from bets on tribal territories will be given to the tribe responsible for that area.

Sports betting licenses will come with different prices, racetracks and card rooms will pay the initial $500,000, as well as renewal fees which are yet undetermined.

Licenses and Other Rules

There are no further costs apart from licenses detailed in the bill. However, it does state that licenses will last five years before being renewed.

Sports betting licensees and every tribal casino will be permitted to run only one branded betting website…

…as well as a mobile application that needs to be under the same brand. Collegiate sporting events in the state will not be part of the betting offering.

Licensees and casinos are allowed to contract with a third party partner to conduct online betting, which is a subject to approval from Washington State Gambling Commission, that regulates the state market.

Also:

All the employees who work in the sports betting industry in the state need to be ed as a sports wagering key employee, or to be ed as a sports wagering employee.

What Happens Next?

The accompanying bill, HB 2478, sets out a similar proposal. It was backed by the Republican Representative Brandon Vick.

It is still unknown when either bill will go to the next stage as Washington’s 2020 legislative session began this week.

Source:

“Washington State to consider new sports betting bill”, igbnorthamerica.com, January 17, 2020.