Washington Sports Betting Bill Gets Full House Vote

The results are out for the full state House floor vote on the Washington sports betting bill. Members of the House approved the measures that will make it possible to become a law by spring. All it needs is the companion bill to pass in the State Senate before it goes to the governor’s office. 

With a vote of 83-14, HB 2638 got the approval of the House Thursday. Also, it was only two days after the Appropriations Committee sent it to the House for a vote. Representative Strom Peterson, the sponsor of the bill, thought it would take the House a week to approve it. However, it included an amendment that blocked the bill from being a part of a state referendum. 

Lawmakers worried that opposition from Maverick Gaming LLC would slow down the passing of the bill. However, the bipartisan vote showed that lawmakers found a compromise that will allow adults to access sportsbook pay per head in the state. 

Approved Washington Sports Betting Bill  

The emergency amendment that prevents a referendum on sports betting will be challenged in court. Maverick Gaming told an all in one pay per head provider that there was no basis to deem the sports betting bills as an emergency for Washington State. 

Maverick Gaming told sportsbook blogs that sports betting would not result in an immediate threat to public safety, health, and peace. Also, there’s no direct tax revenue from activities of tribal casinos. At present, legislation limits sports betting within tribal casinos. 

There are 29 tribal casinos in Washington. Also, the state has the strictest anti-gambling laws in the US. Online gambling within the state is a Class C felony. However, House Bill 2638 allows online sports betting within tribal casino premises. 

Maverick Gaming wants smaller card-room casinos included in the sports betting law. At present, the company has 19 of the 44 card rooms in the state.