Washington state lawmakers appear to be softening their stance on college sports betting after passing the Sports Wagering Integrity Act, which now heads to Governor Bob Ferguson for consideration.
The bill will also allow tribes to accept mobile sports bets from any licensed sportsbook operating in the state, rather than being limited to a single partner.
Bill amendments pass 43-6 in the State Senate
The House had previously voted it through 70–26. Governor Ferguson has 20 days to either sign or veto the bill before it automatically becomes law.
While the bill loosens some of the strictest betting laws in the U.S., there remains some notable laws around college sports betting.
The proposal would keep several restrictions in place that reflect Washington’s historically cautious approach to the practice. The bill maintains bans on player proposition bets, wagers tied to coaching decisions such as substitutions or timeouts, and bets linked to officiating calls including penalties, fouls, or replay rulings.
Those limits stem largely from concerns about protecting college athletes and preserving game integrity, particularly for in-state programs. Lawmakers and regulators have long argued that restricting certain bet types reduces the risk of harassment, undue pressure on players, and potential manipulation of individual in-game moments.
Bill passing only the start, says co-sponsor
Rep. Sharlett Mena, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, believes it’s an important moment for the state in modernizing its approach to the sector. Speaking to journalists in the aftermath of the bill passing, she said: “I think this is an initial step to try to catch up with the market, and there may be more down the line.”
She added that the law will bring illegal betting back under the umbrella, benefiting the state in the process: “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,
“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.”
However, there are some who remain cautious of the prospect of easing college betting restrictions. The president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Charlie Baker, recently called on a nationwide ban in the aftermath of several betting scandals, including a college basketball point-shaving scheme involving more than 39 players on 17 teams.
Sports receive sharper definition under bill
The legislation further clarifies what qualifies as a professional sporting event under Washington law. Professional competitions are defined as those in which participants receive compensation beyond actual expenses, while minor league sports remain excluded from legal wagering.
Another section outlines how tribes may amend their Class III gaming compacts to permit sports betting on tribal lands. These modifications would address licensing requirements, regulatory fees, operational oversight, criminal enforcement provisions, information sharing, and responsible gambling safeguards.
The bill also reiterates that sports wagers conducted under approved tribal compacts constitute authorised bookmaking. As a result, betting activity carried out within the regulated framework would not be subject to civil or criminal penalties under Washington’s gambling statutes.
Additional provisions clarify that gambling information may be transmitted online, but wagers must be placed and accepted only while the bettor is physically present inside a tribal gaming facility. The legislation also strengthens integrity rules, including felony penalties for match manipulation and restrictions on using insider information to place bets.
Prediction markets remain off the table in Washington
Prediction markets are not authorised in Washington, where regulators say event-contract platforms fall outside the state’s legal gambling framework. The Washington State Gambling Commission has warned that offering or participating in such markets constitutes unauthorised activity under state law.
Platforms such as Kalshi operate under federal oversight as a CFTC-regulated derivatives exchange, arguing that their event contracts are financial instruments rather than gambling products. That position has created a growing legal dispute between federal commodities regulation and state gambling authority.
Washington has not filed a lawsuit against prediction market operators, but regulators have issued guidance warning residents and companies about their status. So far, enforcement efforts have largely focused on clarifying the state’s position rather than pursuing court action.
Similar conflicts are playing out in other states where Kalshi and regulators are battling over whether federal derivatives law preempts state gambling rules. Cases in jurisdictions including Nevada and Utah are expected to shape how prediction markets are treated nationwide.
For now, Washington maintains that its strict online gambling laws and limited tribal sportsbook system leave no room for prediction markets. Lawmakers and regulators say the state’s current framework is designed to preserve oversight and protect the integrity of legal wagering.
