Advertising disclosure: TacticGamerz earns commissions when readers sign up via our links. Editorial scores are independent. Learn more →
Banned

Washington

Washington classifies online gambling transmission as a Class C felony under RCW 9.46.240. The 2018 Washington Supreme Court ruling in Kater v.

Last verified May 2026 · Monitored continuously
Washington at a glance
Legal statusBanned
Last verifiedMay 2026

Summary

Washington classifies online gambling transmission as a Class C felony under RCW 9.46.240. The 2018 Washington Supreme Court ruling in Kater v. Churchill Downs held that virtual chips in social casino platforms qualified as ‘things of value’ under the gambling statute — removing the legal argument that free-to-play virtual currency platforms fall outside gambling law.

The law

Operative statute
RCW 9.46.240; precedent established in Kater v. Churchill Downs Inc., 191 Wash.2d 1009 (2018)
Enforcement
Washington State Gambling Commission; Washington Attorney General
Penalties
Class C felony. Up to 5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine per violation.
Legislative history
RCW 9.46.240 is long-standing. The 2018 Kater ruling reinforced its application to virtual-currency social casinos.

Operator status

Every major sweepstakes casino blocks Washington IPs. This includes McLuck, Pulsz, Chumba Casino, Stake.us, WOW Vegas, Mega Bonanza, and all A1 Development LLC properties (NoLimitCoins, TaoFortune, FunRize, StormRush, FunzCity, FortuneWheelz).

The eight platforms on our top picks and where each stands on serving this state. Operator-level state availability can change quickly — verify against the operator’s terms before opening an account.

OperatorStatusNotes
RORolla
Does not serve
WOWOW Vegas
Does not serve
HEHello Millions
Does not serve
MCMcLuck
Does not serve
LELegendz
Does not serve
REReal Prize
Does not serve
PLPlayFame
Does not serve
MEMega Bonanza
Does not serve
TUTurbo Stakes
Does not serve

What this means if you live here

Washington residents cannot legally use sweepstakes casino platforms. Attempts to access platforms via VPN violate operator terms and may carry legal risk under state law.

Why the model is treated this way

How the model works legally, briefly. Sweepstakes casinos operate under federal promotional-sweepstakes law, distinct from gambling regulation. The dual-currency mechanic (Gold Coins for entertainment, Sweeps Coins for prize redemption) combined with a no-purchase entry option is what keeps them outside the gambling framework in most states. State-level law determines whether the framework holds; the result varies meaningfully across the 50 states.

Legal alternatives

Washington has tribal casinos and a limited tribal-only sportsbook framework (geofenced to tribal casino premises). No statewide remote mobile betting; no regulated online casino.

About this guide

Washington status is monitored continuously. If the picture shifts, this page updates first and the change is logged. Report inaccuracies to editorial@leadvault.ae.

Frequently asked

Can I use a sweepstakes casino in Washington?

Not legally. Sweepstakes casinos are illegal in Washington under one of the strictest US online gambling laws, and operators have geoblocked the state.

What if I use a VPN?

Using a VPN to circumvent geographic restrictions violates the terms of service of every major sweepstakes platform we cover. Accounts created from a banned state via VPN are typically closed without redemption when discovered. In some states, using a VPN to access prohibited gaming can also carry independent legal risk under state law. We do not recommend it.

What happens to my balance if I'm in a state where the ban takes effect?

Operators generally provide a transition window before exit, during which existing balances can be redeemed. Specifics vary by operator. If you have a Sweeps Coin balance with a platform that has announced exit from your state, redeem promptly and document the redemption.

Are there any sweepstakes casino alternatives I can use?

Pure social casinos that offer only Gold Coin entertainment play — without any Sweeps Coin or prize-redemption component — may be available even in states that have banned dual-currency sweepstakes models. These are not sweepstakes casinos in the sense we cover on TacticGamerz because there is no prize redemption.