The Washington House has passed a measure allowing sports betting at Indian casinos in the state, including events like the Super Bowl and the World Series. The bill approved on an 83-14 vote allows owners of the 29 Indian casinos in the state to open Las Vegas-style sportsbooks. Sports betting is expanding in the United States following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed for it to be legalized in every state. Sports wagers can now be made legally in more than a dozen states, including Oregon. The Washington House bill would allow Indian casinos to amend their gambling compacts with the state to allow betting on sporting events. However, it prohibits betting on sporting events involving colleges within the state, in an effort to prevent any corruption. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Strom Peterson, of Edmonds, hoped to get a floor vote early so a similar vote on a companion Senate bill could occur before a March 13th deadline. State lawmakers had worried that opposition from those who want sports gambling extended beyond tribal casinos to card rooms would slow momentum to getting the bill passed before the end of this year’s session and delay further proceedings until next January. (AP) Photo: casino.org
