Washington regulator approves state sports betting rules

Regulated sports betting has entered the homestretch in Washington following the approval of final licensing rules by the state regulator.

On Wednesday, the Washington State Gambling Commission signed off on a set of licensing conditions that will pave the way for the regulator to issue permits to suitable vendors.

The approved regulations set out the process of applying for vendor permits. These licenses will be issued to businesses that provide various services to sportsbooks, such as platform providers, sports betting data suppliers, marketing affiliates, providers of identity verification solutions, and mobile payment processors.

According to the Commission, applicants will need the approval of tribal gaming agencies and the state regulator before they can start providing these services to WA sportsbooks.

Vendors who meet the requirements of the two bodies will receive their licenses on or after August 30, which is the date when the finalized rules will come into effect.

The market will roll out when the federal government signs off on the sports betting compact amendments approved by the Commission in June.

WSGC chair heralds ‘new era’ for gambling industry

In his statement regarding the finalization of the rules, the Chair of the WSGC, Bud Sizemore, commended the Commission staff for their hard work, given that the process of drafting the regulations started in May.

Sizemore went on to say that the approval would “usher in a new era” for bettors in the state as they will be able to access legal sportsbooks in the near future.

“I am very grateful for all the hard work Commission Staff put into getting these rules finalized since we reached agreements with our tribal regulatory partners in May,” he said.

“This ushers in a new era for regulated sports wagering in Washington State and Washington citizens will be able to access tribal sportsbooks of the highest integrity in the near future.

“My hope is that the completion of these licensing rules will allow us to work more closely with our tribal and national regulatory partners and local sports teams and leagues to better address the sports wagering black market so that we can continue to protect the public by keeping gambling legal and honest.”

WIGA issues statement on rules approval

Following the Wednesday vote, the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) issued a statement praising the Gambling Commission for its efforts and dedication to getting the process of launching the industry advancing in a timely and responsible way.

Expressing the Association’s excitement at the sports betting licensing rules approval, WIGA Executive Director Rebecca George said: “This vote by the Gambling Commission means Washington State tribes remain on track to be able to go live with sports betting on the premises of tribal casinos in the near future.

“We applaud the effort and work that the Gambling Commission and its staff have put into keeping the process moving forward in a timely and responsible way, and we’re pleased that it appears that interested adults in Washington State will soon be able to place wagers on sporting events in a safe and responsible way.”

Rebecca said that the market would generate the revenue needed to fund crucial services for communities across the Evergreen State, which would in turn boost the economy.

Some 16 tribes have amended their gambling compacts to include sports wagering since the legalization of the market in the jurisdiction. The tribes are now awaiting to be cleared by the U.S. Department of Interior, which will be the final hurdle before they can start launching.