Washington State confirms daily fantasy sports is illegal within its boundaries

With interest in daily fantasy sports reaching peak levels in recent months, and the US football season about to kick-off, the Washington State Gambling Commission has reminded its citizens that this genre falls under the bans imposed by RCW 9.46.240.

Washington State has some of the most draconian anti-internet gambling laws in the United States, and is one of the few states prepared to prosecute its own citizens if they gamble on the go or from the privacy of their own homes.

The Commission advises on its website:

“RCW 9.46.240 prohibits Internet gambling in Washington State. Additionally, the Washington State Constitution (Article II Section 24) prohibits all gambling activities unless the activity is specifically authorized in State law.

“Internet gambling has never been authorized in Washington State. It is illegal to:

* Operate an Internet gambling site.
* Gamble on the Internet.
* Install or maintain equipment to send or receive gambling information.
* Facilitate Internet gambling in any way.

“Online fantasy sports wagering is not authorized for play in Washington State.

“The federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) provides an exemption for fantasy sports; however, the UIGEA also states it does not alter State law prohibiting fantasy sports wagering. Washington State does not allow online fantasy sports wagering and the UIGEA does not change this.

“Fantasy sports wagering falls under Washington State law’s definition of gambling – risking something of value on the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person’s control or influence to receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.

“Fantasy sports wagering usually takes place online and online gambling is not authorized in Washington State (RCW 9.46.240).