Last updated: 08/5/2019
Author: Addictions.com Medical Review
Whittier Law School gambling expert I. Nelson Rose believes a third wave of legalized gambling is washing over the United States. 14 The first wave began in colonial America when lottery management companies took their place among the largest early-nineteenth-century businesses. 15 A healthy economy together with lottery corruption contributed. The legal gambling age in the United State is usually between ages 18 and 21. In the extreme cases of rarity, States like Oklahoma and Maine place the age limit for playing Bingo at 16 years. Precautionary Measures against Underage Betting In the US.
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Even without the physical triggers so commonly associated with drug addiction, gambling disorders can wreak just as much havoc in a person’s life. While drug addiction works as a substance-based disorder, gambling addictions have more to do with a lack of impulse control.
Gambling addiction often affects people who also struggle with alcohol abuse.
Ultimately, it’s the loss of control that defines addictive behavior regardless of the substance or activity involved. Gambling addiction statistics present this “loss of control” factor in a stark and alarming light.
Gambling addiction statistics show how problem gambling can up-end a person’s life in more ways than one. Not unlike other types of addiction, people most susceptible to gambling also suffer from other disorders of which they may or may not be aware.
Probably the most glaring revelation to be had from gambling addiction statistics lies in the consequences that result when gambling disorders go untreated.
As with all types of data, certain trends or patterns of behavior start to surface within a given population. Gambling addiction statistics are no different. Some of the more prevalent gambling trends show:
As far as gambling and criminal activity goes, gambling addiction statistics reveal a direct correlation between the severity of a gambling addiction and the likelihood of committing crimes. Rates of gambling addiction for criminal offenders far exceed rates found among non-offenders. On average, an estimated 50 percent of those affected by gambling problems commit crimes in order to support their addiction.
Gambling addiction statistics show people between the ages 20 and 30 have the highest rates of problem gambling.
People affected by post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD live with high levels of stress and anxiety on a daily basis. Gambling addiction statistics show high rates of gambling addiction among PTSD sufferers.
As addictions, in general, alter brain chemical functions in destructive ways, people struggling with gambling addiction have a higher likelihood of developing mental disorders. Gambling addiction statistics show a high incidence of certain types of mental illness, some of which include:
As with any other type of addiction, a gambling addiction can only get worse when left untreated.
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.