Washington to discuss sports betting
The state regulator will meet today to discuss three bills that were introduced to legalise sports betting in Washington.
US.- The Washington State Gambling Commission is set to meet today at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma to discuss three legislative pieces that were introduced during the 2019 session. The bills would legalise sports betting in Washington.
The state regulator is looking for public input on three bills: HB 1975, HB 1992 and SB 5965. The first one only authorises sports betting at tribal casinos, and information about gambling can be placed online, though no wagers will be accepted through that modality. “Tribes have more than 20 years’ experience with, and a proven track record of, successfully operating and regulating gaming facilities in accordance with tribal gaming compacts,” reads the bill.
When HB 10975 was introduced in February, Chris Stearns of the Washington State Gambling Commission said that the limits of the bill are actually “not very big”. He said: “The bill doesn’t say very much, but the way federal Indian gaming law works is, just as long as the state permits something it opens the door for the tribes to operate based on what they negotiate. So, it may look limited, but it just opens the door to what the tribes can negotiate with the governor,” he added.
HB 1992 is sponsored by Rep. Joe Shmick and would allow sports betting only on-site at licensed horse racing tracks. The third bill is a title-only legislative piece.
