It’s been a dream since the 90s when the Puyallup Tribe tested the gaming waters in Tacoma, Washington with its Emerald Queen Riverboat. That vision is now becoming a reality as the floating casino is being replaced with the soon to be opened $370 million land-based, Emerald Queen Casino, located along I-5 on in the city situated on banks of Puget Sound.
Washington is one of the most liberal states in the country when it comes to gambling. This includes having many Washington casinos and card clubs spread throughout the state. The racing industry dates back to 1933. This includes live and off-track betting. Charitable gaming was legalized 40 years later. It is up to local jurisdictions to regulate. The Washington Lottery sells tickets for instant games and lotto drawings.
Card clubs in Washington state can offer live poker tables, as well as house-banked card games. This includes blackjack, baccarat, and proprietary games. Craps, roulette, slots and video poker are not permitted at card clubs. Tribal Washington casinos may spread these games.
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The only form of online gambling legal in Washington state is horse racing. TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica are among the sites that accept this action from Washington residents.
Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in Washington. No legitimate sites take players from the state. Washington state law forbids all forms of online gambling except horse racing. It is a felony to participate as either a player or operator.
Washington gambling offers all types of betting action players can find. The state lottery sells scratch-off and lotto tickets. The most popular games are massive interstate jackpot drawings like Mega Millions and Powerball. Charities can spread bingo and raffle nights. There are racetracks that offer live and off-track betting.
Card clubs have live poker rooms and house-banked games like blackjack. These range from mini-casinos that have just a few tables to establishments that resemble full-service Washington casinos without the slots. It all depends on local law. Washington casinos on reservations can offer slots, video poker, live poker, craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and Pai Gow games.
The most unusual Washington gambling law is its prohibition against online gambling. It is a felony to play any gambling game over the Internet. This applies to the participants and the operator. This is enough to keep daily fantasy sports sites out of the state. Even offshore sites that are probably violating every state law in every market they participate in avoid Washington. It is nearly impossible to find a legitimate poker, casino or sports betting site that accepts Washington residents because of this.
Live horse racing is legal in Washington. These tracks may operate race books. Online and mobile betting apps are also permitted if a license is issued.
Charities may offer bingo and raffles may be offered by nonprofit organizations. These must register with local jurisdictions, which have the ultimate right of regulation.
The state lottery is the only other group that is permitted to offer games of pure chance outside of reservations. The lottery may sell instant game and lotto tickets. The Washington Lottery may distribute these tickets through retailers but not over the Internet. State law permits the lottery to enter interstate drawings.
The minimum Washington gambling age is 18 years of age to enter. Washington casinos are allowed to raise the minimum gambling age to 21 years if alcohol is sold and served. Card clubs pay a tax rate of 20 percent on gaming revenue. Tribal Washington casinos must enter a gaming compact with the state that is negotiated by the governor. All of the gambling and casinos in Washington is licensed and regulated through the Washington State Gambling Commission.
There are more than 60 Washington casinos within the state. These range from small card clubs with 15 or fewer tables to sprawling resorts with slots and dozens of table games on reservations. Players can find casinos in Potlach, with plenty of options to choose from, or go to the casinos in Chewela. To make it easier to find a casino, you can always look at the Washington casinos map located above for directions and more.
Casino | Size | Address | Website |
---|---|---|---|
7 Cedars Casino – Sequim | 580 Slot Machines | 270756 US-101 | www.7cedarsresort.com |
12 Tribes Resort & Casino – Omak | 500 Slot Machines | 28968 US-97 | www.colvillecasinos.com |
Angel of the Winds Casino – Arlington | 1,100 Slot Machines | 3438 Stoluckquamish Ln. | www.angelofthewinds.com |
Buzz Inn Casino – East Wenatchee | Only Table Games (10) | 280 Grant Rd. | www.buzzinncasino.com |
Casino Snoqualmie – Snoqualmie | 1,700 Slot Machines | 37500 SE North Bend Way | www.snocasino.com |
Chewelah Casino – Chewelah | 360 Slot Machines | 2555 Smith Rd. | www.chewelahcasino.com |
Clearwater Casino Resort – Suqamish | 1,200 Slot Machines | 15347 Suquamish Way NE | www.clearwatercasino.com |
Club Hollywood Casino – Shoreline | Only Table Games (15) | 16716 Aurora Ave N. | www.club-hollywood-casino.com |
Coulee Dam Casino – Coulee Dam | 164 Slot Machines | 515 Birch St. | www.colvillecasinos.com |
Coyote Bob’s Casino – Kennewick | Only Table Games (12) | 3014 W. Kennewick Ave. | www.coyotebobscasino.com |
Crazy Moose Casino – Mountlake Terrace | Only Table Games (15) | 22003 66th Ave. W. | www.mountlakecasino.com |
Crazy Moose Casino – Pasco | Only Table Games (18) | S. 20th Ave. | www.pascocasino.com |
Elwha River Casino – Port Angeles | 100 Slot Machines | 631 Stratton Rd. | www.elwharivercasino.com |
Emerald Queen Casino – Fife | 2,060 Slot Machines | 5700 Pacific Hwy E. | www.emeraldqueen.com |
Joker’s Casino – Richland | Only Table Games (9) | 624 Wellsian Way | www.atomicbowl.com |
Lancer Casino – Clarkston | Only Table Games (9) | 1250 Bridge St. | www.lancerlanesandcasino.com |
Legends Casino – Toppenish | 1,400 Slot Machines | 580 Fort Rd. | www.legendscasino.com |
Little Creek Casino – Shelton | 230 Slot Machines | 91 West State Route 108 | www.little-creek.com |
Lucky Dog Casino – Potlatch | 175 Slot Machines | 19330 US-101 | www.myluckydogcasino.com |
Lucky Eagle Casino – Rochester | 1,300 Slot Machines | 12888 188th Ave. SW | www.luckyeagle.com |
Mill Bay Casino – Manson | 600 Slot Machines | 455 Wapato Lake Rd. | www.colvillecasinos.com |
Mr. Z’s Casino – Pullman | Only Table Games (8) | 780 SE Bishop Blvd. | www.zeppoz.com |
Muckleshoot Casino – Auburn | 3,100 Slot Machines | 2402 Auburn Way S. | www.muckleshootcasino.com |
New Phoenix Casino – La Center | Only Table Games (29) | 225 W. 4th St. | www.thenewphoenixcasino.com |
Nisqually Red Wind Casino – Yelm | 1,475 Slot Machines | 12819 Yelm Hwy SE | www.redwindcasino.com |
Nob Hill Casino – Yakima | Only Table Games (7) | 3807 W. Nob Hill Blvd. | www.thenobhillcasino.com |
Nooksack Northwind Casino – Lynden | 380 Slot Machines | 9750 Northwood Rd. | www.northwoodcasino.com |
Northern Lights Casino – Anacortes | 830 Slot Machines | 12885 Casino Dr. | www.swinomishcasinoandlodge.com |
Northern Quest Casino – Airway Heights | 1,650 Slot Machines | 100 N. Hayford Rd. | www.northernquest.com |
Okanogan Casino – Okanagan | 330 Slot Machines | 41 Appleway | www.colvillecasinos.com |
Quinault Beach Casino – Ocean Shores | 500 Slot Machines | 78 WA-115 | www.quinaultbeachresort.com |
Red Dragon Casino – Mountlake Terrace | Only Table Games (10) | 21917 WA-99 | www.red-dragon-casino-mountlake.com |
Roxy’s Casino – Seattle | Only Table Games (12) | 2823 SW Roxbury St. | |
Royal Casino – Everett | Only Table Games (15) | 13010 WA-99 | www.royalcasinoeverett.com |
Shoalwater Bay Casino – Tokeland | 268 Slot Machines | 4112 WA-105 | www.shoalwaterbaycasino.com |
Silver Dollar Casino – Mill Creek | Only Table Games (14) | 17917 Bothell Everett Hwy | www.millcreekcasino.com |
Silver Dollar Casino – Renton | Only Table Games (15) | 3100 E. Valley Rd. | www.rentoncasino.com |
Silver Dollar Casino – SeaTac | Only Table Games (15) | 19222 International Blvd. | www.seataccasino.com |
Silver Reef Casino – Ferndale | 1,200 Slot Machines | 4876 Haxton Way | www.silverreefcasino.com |
Skagit Valley Casino – Bow | 900 Slot Machines | 5984 Darrk Ln. | www.theskagit.com |
The Point Casino – Kingston | 700 Slot Machines | 7989 NE Salish Ln. | www.the-point-casino.com |
Tulalip Resort Casino – Tulalip | 2,200 Slot Machines | 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd. | www.tulalipresortcasino.com |
Two Rivers Casino – Davenport | 150 Slot Machines | 6828 B WA-25 | www.two-rivers-casino.com |
Wild Goose Casino – Ellensburg | Only Table Games (7) | 1600 Currier St. | www.wildgoosecasino.com |
Wizards Casino – Burien | Only Table Games (16) | 15739 Ambaum Blvd. SW | www.facebook.com/WizardsCasino |
In addition to these casinos and card clubs, there are other places to gamble. There are four racetracks that offer live horse racing. Emerald Downs is the only track that offers a major live racing schedule. Dayton, Sun Downs, Waitsburg, and Walla Walla offer state fair racing for a handful of days each year. There are also bingo halls and lottery retailers.
Horse racing first started in Washington before it ever became a state. It was the first form of legalized gambling, not just in Washington, but in the entire region. Racing stood as the only form of regulated gaming until 1963 when voters affirmed a constitutional amendment that created charity gaming. Municipalities are given the right to regulate this type of gaming. Most permit it while others do not.
The state lottery was approved by Washington voters in November 1981. The structure of it passed the state legislature in 1982.
Native American Washington casinos were first approved in 1992. The first gaming compact was executed that year with the Tulalip tribe. This allowed for the first legal slots and video poker machines in the state. Card clubs had a $40 bet limit for years. After lobbying for more than 10 years, the limit was raised to $100 in 2013 for poker games not banked for the house. The bet limit for house-banked card games was raised to $300 in 2008. The clubs hoped to get that raised to $500 but have not been successful. This limit does not apply to reservations.
In 2006, the state legislature banned all forms of online gambling. The state made it a felony to play these games. It was done to protect the state’s card clubs and tribal casinos. In 2010, Margarita Prentice, sponsor of the bill at the time, told Gary Wise of ESPN,
“I just think some of these arguments are utter nonsense. You mean you’re going to move so you can play poker? Gee, lots of luck in your life.” Prentice continued, “I have nothing against card playing. That’s fine. If you want to do that, but I’m sure not going to worry about someone.” Then she hit online poker players in Washington with an offensive comment that was never forgotten. “Let them go pump gas,” Prentice said.
The online poker bill stands to this day. There was a court challenge in 2008. The Washington Supreme Court declared the bill constitutional. There were attempts to repeal the law and regulated online poker in 2015 and 2016. Both attempts failed.
No. State law makes any form of online gambling a felony to play or operate. This includes online poker, casino games, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.
The minimum Washington gambling age is 18 years. Washington casinos and card clubs that sell alcohol have a minimum gambling age of 21 years.
Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, blackjack, Three Card Poker, baccarat, Pai Gow Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em are among the legal games in Washington card clubs.
Slots, video poker, electronic table games, blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and other house-banked card games are among the action available to Washington Native American casino patrons.
No. Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in the state.
Yes. There are live races and off-track betting. This includes over the Internet and on mobile apps.
Tribal Organization: Puyallup Tribe of Indians
2024 E 29th St
Tacoma, WA 98404-4974
(253) 594-7777
(888) 831-7655
The Puyallup Tribe will replace the existing Emerald Queen Casino I-5 with a new $370 million casino now under construction. The grand opening will be in February 2020.
The new casino hotel will total 310,000 square feet with a 110,000-square-foot gaming floor, a 21,000-square-foot event center with 2,000 seats and a 200-room hotel with spa and conference rooms.
Emerald Queen Casino has two locations: The Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino in Fife and this casino the Emerald Queen Casino I-5 in Tacoma.
The original Emerald Queen Casino was a Mississippi riverboat casino that was purchased by the Puyallup Tribe in 1996 and brought to the port of Tacoma.
In 2002 the tribe built a bingo hall at the present location of the Emerald Queen Casino. It opened on July 13, 2002. In time the facility was converted to a casino and expanded with the addition of three tents.
The riverboat casino was shut down in 2004 after the tribe purchased a hotel in Fife and converted it into the present day casino and hotel.
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July 24, 2018
Plans to develop a permanent building to replace the current structure for the Emerald Queen Casino are moving forward. The casino is located in Tacoma and owned by the Puyallup Tribe.
A study session was held by the Tacoma City Council where an update on the facility was given.
The new larger building will cost $310 million to complete. It is expected to be open by December of next year.
Located on East 29th Street, there will be a raised buffet and bar that will straddle the street. Other dining options will include a deli, a cafe that will be open 24 hours, and a sports bar.
The casino will be 310,000 square feet. An event center will be 21,000 square feet and be able to accommodate 2,000 seats for guests.
In the 1990's the tribe started their gaming industry. During this time period, it was not a financial possibility for them to build a large scale casino. They purchased a showboat and sailed it along the West Coast to it's new location on the Blair Waterway in a section owned by the tribe. Until 2004 this was the Emerald Queen Casino.
When the Blair Waterway under went an expansion project the showboat casino was closed. A Best Western Hotel in Fife was then converted into the next location for the casino.
The Tacoma location was previously used as a bingo hall. Several new tent structures were added to expand the bingo facility into a casino. This is the current location of the Emerald Queen Casino.
The Puyallup Tribe believe now is the time to build a larger and permanent casino facility.
Under the design plan, guests will have views of the surrounding area in each direction. There will be natural light. Traditional tribal baskets will inspire the colors for the exterior of the building. Carved wood elements will greet guests at the entrance of the high limit gaming area.
A hotel will be added in the next phase of development. It will cost $65 million to complete. There will be between 150 to 200 guest rooms. Meeting and conference space. A spa. Also, a restaurant located on the roof of the building. This phase of development is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2020.
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