State law brief
Washington
Washington's regulator addresses the online model directly
Sources reviewed Next review due
- Status on record
- Restricted by state action
- Sweeps Coins redemption
- Not blocked by any state rule on our records
- Operators accepting players
- 18 scored operators, per our availability records
How does Washington distinguish a promotional contest from the online sweepstakes model?
The Gambling Commission says promotional contests must provide a free entry route and cannot require a purchase. Its separate sweepstakes FAQ says the commercial online model combines contest and raffle elements into an unauthorized third activity.
What the law says
The Washington State Gambling Commission says the commercial online activity marketed as sweepstakes combines elements of raffles and promotional contests into a third activity that Washington law does not authorize. Its sweepstakes FAQ answers no when asked whether that model is legal in Washington. The Commission separately explains that a lawful promotional contest needs a free entry route and cannot require a purchase for eligibility.
How it applies to dual-currency casinos
The statutory record supports that regulator guidance with internet-specific language. RCW 9.46.0237 defines gambling around risking something of value on chance or a future contingent event for something of value. RCW 9.46.240 makes knowingly transmitting or receiving gambling information over the internet a class C felony, while preserving exceptions for activities authorized under state law and tribal-state compacts. Washington is therefore not relying on a generic national template: the page joins a direct state FAQ, a promotional-contest boundary, and an internet-gambling provision.
Enforcement on file
The Washington State Gambling Commission directly states its position on the commercial online sweepstakes model and explains the separate promotional-contest boundary. The reviewed set does not include a court ruling testing that guidance against every operator design.
Still unresolved
The unresolved Washington issue is how a specific operator's purchase path, free-entry mechanics, and value transfer map onto the Commission's stated distinction and the internet-gambling statute.
Sources we read
Information, not legal advice. State law, its enforcement and each operator's own terms change; for a decision that matters, talk to a lawyer licensed in Washington. 21+ only.