We’d steer you clear of Washington, and we want to be straight with you about why. The law here goes after both players and operators. Although no legal action against players has ever been taken, there’s always a risk of becoming the first.
Our page runs through the laws in play, the penalties you’d face, and the legal alternatives you’ve still got.
Washington is one of only three states where the law goes after more than just operators. Play on a sweepstakes online casino here and you could face criminal charges yourself. RCW 9.46.240 classifies this offence as a Class C felony, and the 2018 Kater v. Churchill Downs ruling brought those popular virtual currency platforms directly within that statute’s reach
If you are thinking about playing on a sweepstakes site from Washington, here is the legal picture you are walking into.
| Can I play sweepstakes casinos in Washington? | No. Washington classifies online gambling as a felony, and most sweepstakes sites block Washington at registration. |
| What law makes it illegal? | RCW 9.46.240 makes it a Class C felony to send or receive gambling information online or by phone, radio, or similar means. |
| What’s the penalty if a player is charged? | Up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine (RCW 9A.20.021). On paper this is the strictest player penalty in the US. |
| Has any player ever been prosecuted in Washington? | No. The statute has been on the books since 2006 and the state has never charged an individual player under it. |
| Why do sweepstakes casinos count as gambling here? | Washington defines a “thing of value” broadly enough to include virtual coins, tokens, and even the privilege of continued play (RCW 9.46.0285). That definition pulls sweepstakes into the gambling category. |
| What penalty do operators face? | Professional gambling charges under RCW 9.46.220: fines up to $100,000 and up to 5 years in prison. |
| Has the law been tested in court? | Yes. In 2018 , the Ninth Circuit ruled that Big Fish Casino’s virtual chips count as a “thing of value,” letting players sue operators to recover losses. It is a civil ruling, not a criminal one. |
| Who enforces the law? | The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC). |
| What can I legally play instead? | Tribal casinos, the state lottery, licensed card rooms, horse racing, and charitable bingo and raffles. |
| Will I get in trouble for playing anyway? | Possibly, and we advise against it. The law is enforceable, even if Washington has never charged a player. |
| Can I get on a site from Washington? | Almost never. Most operators block Washington at signup. The few that don’t won’t let you redeem prizes. |
| Will a VPN help? | No. Operators flag VPN traffic and close accounts. Enforcement looks at where you are, not your IP. |
Operators actively preventing access to Washington
Compare Washington to its closest neighboring state.
No. Neither sweepstakes platforms nor real-money online casinos are licensed in Washington. The only legal gambling options are tribal casinos, the state lottery, licensed card rooms, horse racing, and charitable bingo and raffles. Online play in any form is outside the law.
Yes, as long as you’re physically in a state where both the state itself and the platform allow it. Sweepstakes sites check your location at every login, so the moment you cross back into Washington, you’re blocked. Operators also flag accounts that hop locations frequently, so don’t make a habit of it.
Once the site detects you in Washington, your account is blocked from earning, buying, and redeeming. Redeem any Sweeps Coins balance before you move, since most operators won’t make exceptions for relocations, and a blocked-account balance can be forfeited under the platform’s terms.
Unlikely in the near term. Washington has rejected every online gambling proposal since the 2006 ban, and the tribal compact system gives the state’s tribes a strong incentive to keep competing, online formats out. No current bill would change RCW 9.46.240 or its player-side felony exposure.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Washington enforces one of the strictest sweepstakes regimes in the country through RCW 9.46.240, RCW 9.46.0237, and the precedent set by Kater v. Churchill Downs and Rousso v. State. If you have specific concerns about your account, balance, or legal exposure, talk to a licensed attorney in Washington
