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Washington, the only state that makes playing online poker an actual Class C felony, is looking to change course.
Late last week, with little fanfare, state Rep. Sherry Appleton introduced House Bill 1114, that would legalize online poker in Washington.
More specifically, House Bill 1114 would authorize and regulate Internet poker, amending RCW 9.46.0265, 9.46.228, 9.46.072, 9.46.010 and 9.46.070 while adding new sections to chapter 9.46.
The bill suggests that, despite state prohibition, Washingtonians have continued to play online poker over the Net.
The vast majority of online poker, casino and sports betting websites no longer permit players from Washington.
Like a handful of other states, Washington wants to take things one step further and begin licensing Web card rooms.
From the draft legislation:
“To better protect the people of Washington from potential danger from, and to maintain oversight of the systems used to carry out Internet poker, the legislature finds it to be in the interest of the people to establish a regulatory framework by which entities, as authorized by the Washington state gambling commission or a tribal regulator, may offer poker games to players within Washington State over the Internet.”
Additional wording suggests that Washington would be willing to enter into compacts with other states as a means of improving player liquidity.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
