Sports Betting In Washington Is On The Way For Approval

What are the chances of the sports betting approval being finalized?

The proposal was by no means recent, and the question of allowing sports betting has been circling for several years. However, now there’s a new motive to get the process going faster - the NFL is just around the corner. And one thing about Washington state is people love their sports with a burning passion. Thankfully for those crossing their fingers, the U.S. Department of Interior has no more than 45 to have the final say. That’s still plenty of time before the NFL comes around, so the Tulalip tribes, as well as sports betting fans, have high hopes.

Luckily enough, the native tribes have a healthy relationship with the government, so the chances of the appeal getting denied are rather slim. No surprise, as the finances produced in the casinos stay revolving in WA and the gambling facilities provide jobs to more than thirty thousand residents, most of which are not native.

Due to tribal sovereignty, Natives have permission to open casinos in areas where gambling is not permitted. However, in Washington state, sports betting has been under question for quite some time. In June of 2021, things are finally shifting towards allowing 15 Native American tribes to offer sports betting at their casinos. And although it is not yet set in stone, Washington state already approved this genre of casino entertainment. The tedious steps involved getting approval from Governor Jay Inslee, and waiting on the final decision from the federal government.

Which 15 tribes will have the chance to conduct sports betting?

Although there 29 recognized native tribes in the state of Washington, only 15 will be able to offer sports betting entertainment to players. Unfortunately, not all will get the luxury to have this opportunity handed to them, and the tribes who want to include sports betting in their casinos will have to take it up with the state. Here is who will get the lucky chance to take advantage of the addition:

• Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
• Spokane Tribe
  
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
  
• Cowlitz Indian Tribe
  
• Tulalip Tribes of Washington
  
• Suquamish Tribe
  
• Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
  
• Kalispel Tribe of Indians
  
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
  
• Puyallup Tribe of Indians
  
• Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe
  
• Snoqualmie Indian Tribe
  
• Squaxin Island Tribe
  
• Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
  

What type of sports betting will be permitted?

The short answer - pretty much everything. Anyone over 18 will be allowed to bet on top-level professional leagues, E-Sports, various Olympic games, and popular international sports events. College sports will be on the menu also, except for in-state colleges and universities. Another thing to note is that online and mobile gaming options for sports betting will be prohibited unless done within the casinos.

Why won’t mobile gambling be allowed outside the premises? Well, it’s been an issue that previously put the process of allowing sports betting in casinos to a halt. There were many concerns in regards to the issue, but an idea was proposed that quickly calmed the worried officials - a geofence. It’s a technology that’s used to set boundaries for certain internet activities within a select radius. The way it works is the geofence technology has a parameter a company/government can set that, if crossed - notifies the system and stops the prohibited activity.

Verdict

It’s been far too long since the tribal casinos in Washington state have been attempting to offer sports betting to their visitors, and the new changes could benefit both; the casinos as well as the state itself. Not only will it allow for more job availabilities, but it will generate massive revenue for those involved. Except maybe for the players that lose the bets!