Washington governor signs bill to allow in-state college betting
Governor Bob Ferguson has signed SB 6137.
US.- Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has signed SB 6137, a bill that allows tribal casinos to offer betting on collegiate events. Betting on professional and Olympic sports was already permitted.
Betting on the performance of individual athletes is not allowed, and wagers placed on any minor league sport remain prohibited. The bill also includes legal protections for individuals involved in athletic events, including players, coaches, and officials.
Bill sponsor State Sen. Adrian Cortes had warned that residents were placing bets through illicit or grey market avenues.
According to The Seattle Times, he stated: “During a time when online hate and harassment are on the rise, it’s more important than ever that we protect student athletes by properly regulating sports betting on college sports in our state.”
Washington State AG files lawsuit against unlicensed online casino apps
In February, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit against several companies that operate unlicensed online casino apps. The complaint alleges violations of the Gambling Act and the Consumer Protection Act and seeks to recover residents’ losses.
According to the Office of the Attorney General, apps have taken more than $225m from residents since September 2020. The lawsuit cites suppliers such as Playtika and Aristocrat, claiming that they are responsible for 16 apps used by more than 150,000 residents to engage in gambling every month via the purchase of virtual currency.
