Washington Legalizes College Sports Betting

Sports betting in Washington will soon be legal for college sports, following Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature of Senate Bill 6137. The bill expands legalized sports betting in the Evergreen State, permitting college sports betting.

Previously, legal sports betting in Washington was limited to professional and Olympic sports, and only on tribal lands. The new legislation allows most forms of college sports betting to take place at tribal casinos, with a few provisions meant to protect collegiate athletes.

Notably, the law includes tough penalties for those who threaten or harass athletes, coaches and officials. Because of an amendment added by Rep. Chris Stearns (D-Auburn), anyone who threatens harm to any participant in a sporting event in Washington faces a fine of $5,000, up to 364 days in jail and permanent restriction on their ability to place wagers in the state.

Online sports betting remains prohibited statewide by a 2006 state law. All gambling in the state of Washington must take place in person. In practice, that means gambling must take place either at a tribal casino or through the state lottery.

What Forms of College Sports Betting in Washington Are Legal?

Spreads, moneylines and totals wagers will become legal through SB 6137, after a 90-day period following the adjournment of the Washington legislature. The legislature adjourned on March 12, with no special session called.

That means college sports wagering will become legal in Washington on June 10, 2026. The College World Series opens two days later, making this the first college sporting event with legal sports betting in Washington. For most college sports bettors in Washington, their first action will involve college football in August.

Unlike several other states, Washington has chosen not to ban action on in-state college teams. Previous legal language used Washington’s five Division I universities (Eastern Washington, Gonzaga, Seattle, Washington and Washington State) to implement a de facto ban on college sports wagering.

Under the old laws, which were signed in March 2020, betting on any college sport was prohibited if at least one Washington institution participated in the sport. As the University of Washington competes in 20 sports, that left only the most niche sports as even an option.

The new legislation removes that language, making wagers legal on in-state college teams. Wagers will also be permitted for collegiate sporting events that take place in Washington. For the first time, sports bettors in Washington will be able to bet on the annual Apple Cup football game between Washington and Washington State.

What Forms of College Sports Betting Remain Illegal?

Individual prop betting will not be permitted on college sports in Washington. Bettors can make prop bets on team outcomes, such as totals, but individual props will remain banned.

Micro-betting, which has become highly popular with some bettors, will either be highly restricted or outright illegal. The legislation explicitly prohibits bets on coaches’ and officials’ decisions, such as timeouts or fouls. It’s unclear if bettors will be able to wager on individual play outcomes. If allowed, this would be the only form of micro-betting permitted in Washington.

How Many Options Exist for College Sports Betting in Washington?

Washington is home to 29 federally recognized Native American tribes. All of them operate at least one casino on their lands. The state is home to 35 tribal casinos, and existing legislation in Washington places betting firmly in their control. Tribal leaders praised the Washington legislature for expanding what it considers safe, regulated gambling.

“This bill strengthens a model that protects consumers and respects tribal sovereignty, ensuring that any wagering happens within a framework that has worked for decades,” said Rebecca George, the executive director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association.

What Other Forms of Sports Betting Remain Illegal?

The legislation continues to prohibit betting on minor league professional sports. Among professional sports, only major league sports betting, such as on the state’s seven major league teams (Seattle Kraken, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Reign, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders, Seattle Storm and Seattle Torrent) is permitted in Washington.