Gambling regulations for how games are to be operated and whether it is legal or not, is controlled at the state level. While many states have banned gambling altogether, dog racing, horse racing and casino gambling on Indian reservations remain popular throughout the country.
Washington gambling laws allow licensed casinos on Indian reservations only, while also allowing licensed horse racing and certain games used to raise funds for charitable organizations.
On the other hand, workplace gambling has been legal in the state of Washington since 1973. However, the rules are pretty stringent, so pay close attention. You are only allowed to gamble in your workplace in a number of very specific, narrow instances known as “sports wagering.”
You are allowed to have one (1) sports pool board for a specific event. Moreover, the board must be divided into 100 squares and you can charge up to one dollar per square, so at the most, your pool can be worth $100. Each purchaser signs his or her name on their purchased square. The pool is closed prior to the athletic event, and a prospective score is assigned by random drawing to each square.
Keep in mind, this is the only type of sports betting allowed in Washington State. Bracket pools, office sports pools, and fantasy sports have never been authorized as gambling activities in Washington State and are considered illegal.
The Washington State Gambling Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all authorized social gambling activities in the state, except for horse racing and the State Lottery. They investigate and control unauthorized and illegal gambling activities and co-regulate Tribal gaming activities pursuant to agreements between the Tribes and State.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer.
