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Washington to allow college sports betting with restrictions
Lawmakers in Washington have approved a bill that would allow sports betting on college games under strict limitations, sending the measure to Governor Bob Ferguson for a final decision.
The bill, introduced as SB 6137 and known as the Sports Wagering Integrity Act, would expand the state’s existing sports betting framework to include wagers on college sports. Bets involving Washington-based colleges would not be allowed if they are tied to individual athlete performance, coaching decisions, or officiating calls.
The amended legislation cleared the state Senate with a 43–6 vote after previously passing the House 70–26. Once the bill reaches Ferguson’s desk, he will have 20 days to either sign or veto it. If no action is taken within that period, the measure will automatically become law.
Under the proposal, sports betting in Washington would remain limited to tribal casinos operating under Class III gaming compacts with the state. Tribal operators could amend those agreements to add wagering on college games, while bettors would still be required to place wagers in person at tribal gaming facilities, even though some betting information may be transmitted online.
The bill keeps several restrictions in place; player proposition bets will remain banned, along with wagers tied to coaching decisions, among which are substitutions, timeouts, or replay challenges. The continuation of betting prohibition extends to all betting activities which involve referees’ decisions that include foul calls and penalty assessments and replay decisions.
The legislation contains provisions which protect athletes and preserve the competitive integrity of sports events. Under the bill, offering or accepting anything of value to influence the outcome of a sporting event would be treated as a felony. Threatening athletes, coaches, or officials in connection with a wager would be classified as a gross misdemeanor and could result in a ban from sports betting in Washington.
The bill requires that tribal operators collaborate with the Washington State Gambling Commission on licensing, enforcement, and integrity monitoring. The legislation establishes oversight mechanisms which address both anti-money laundering operations and responsible gambling initiatives.
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