Washington Online Poker Rooms
Is Poker Legal In Washington
Poker is legal in Washington, but only in licensed and regulated settings. Under the state’s Gambling Act of 1973 (RCW 9.46), poker is permitted in authorized card rooms and tribal casinos. Commercial card rooms can offer poker games like Limit Hold’em, No-Limit Hold’em, and Omaha, with betting limits typically capped at $300, though some rooms have been granted exceptions to raise this to $400. Tribal casinos have similar games with higher betting limits, sometimes up to $500. Both card rooms and tribal casinos are regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) to ensure compliance with state laws.
While live poker is legal in licensed venues, online poker remains prohibited in Washington. RCW 9.46.240 criminalizes real-money online poker, classifying it as a Class C felony for both players and operators. Though enforcement has mainly focused on operators, players do face a risk of penalties as well. Legislators have attempted to pass laws in the past to have Washington join the growing list of states with legal online poker, but those efforts have failed.
What Is The Legal Poker Age In Washington?
The minimum legal age to play poker in Washington is 18 years old. This is established under RCW 9.46.228. Violating this law is considered a Class 2 civil infraction, punishable by a fine, community service, and court costs. However, it's important to note that many casinos in Washington serve alcohol, and in such establishments, the minimum gambling age is raised to 21
Closest Washington Poker Room Near Me
With so many poker rooms in Washington, you can find access to one, no matter where you are. There are over a half dozen poker rooms in the Seattle metro area, whether in Renton, Mountlake Terrace, or Shoreline. These Seattle poker rooms all have different limits but are open to the public.
- Hollywood Cardroom (Seattle) – Daily tournaments and cash games.
- Roxy's Casino (Seattle) – Small poker area with a casual vibe.
- Riverside Casino (Tukwila) – Variety of cash games and tournaments.
- Fortune Poker (Renton) – 1/3 NLHE, strong player mix, good food.
- Diamond Lil’s (Renton) – Consistently spreads 20/40 limit games.
- The New Grove (Everett) – Known for Omaha games like 3/6 kill and 5/10 kill.
- Tulalip Resort Casino (Marysville) – High-end room with Hold’em & Omaha.
- Snoqualmie Casino (Snoqualmie) – Spread-limit up to $500 max.
Outside of the Seattle metro area and closer to Tacoma, players can visit Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, home to one of the largest poker rooms in the state. It offers 2/5, 3/5, and 5/10 spread-limit Hold’em games and is known for its loose action—though long waitlists are common. Nearby in Fife, Freddie’s Club Casino offers a more intimate setting with 4/8 limit games and a $10/20 half-kill game featured on Tuesdays.
Heading west to the Kitsap Peninsula, poker players have options like Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, praised for its friendly staff and relaxed tribal casino vibe. In Silverdale, All Star Lanes & Casino offers poker alongside other gaming options and is part of the Maverick Gaming network. Further south in Shelton, Little Creek Casino Resort hosts the South Sound Tournament Series, features weekly tournaments, and boasts one of the highest legal betting limits in the state—up to $500.
In Southwest Washington, Last Frontier Casino in La Center stands out with consistent 10/20 and 15/30 limit games, and occasional 20/40 and Omaha tables. The room is especially popular on Sundays thanks to its $499 high-hand promotions. Over in Eastern Washington, players in Spokane can find action at Northern Quest Resort & Casino, a non-smoking poker room with seven tables offering both Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Meanwhile, in Pullman, Mr. Z’s Casino provides local poker games, serving the eastern edge of the state.
Washington Poker Rooms In Multiple Locations
Several poker brands in Washington operate in multiple locations, offering players familiar experiences across different parts of the state. Ace’s Poker, for example, has venues in both Lakewood and Mountlake. The Lakewood location is known for its higher-stakes action, including 4/8 and 8/16 Limit Hold’em, various No-Limit Hold’em games with a $300 max bet, and 6/12 Omaha Hi-Lo. It also hosts daily and weekend tournaments with guaranteed prize pools and a monthly WSOP Main Event qualifier. The Mountlake branch mirrors these offerings and is operated under the Maverick Gaming umbrella.
Caribbean Cardroom/Casino has locations in Kirkland and Yakima. The Kirkland site, known as Caribbean Cardroom, features a lively tournament scene (such as $200 NLHE events) and is known for its upscale feel, thanks in part to its ownership by Eric Persson. The Yakima location, branded as Caribbean Casino, also emphasizes poker tournaments and cash games, and is part of Maverick Gaming as well.
Crazy Moose Casino has two poker rooms located in Mountlake Terrace and Pasco. While the Mountlake Terrace location entices players with high-hand promotions and complimentary food like mini-pizzas, the Pasco property leans more toward limit and spread-limit poker games. The other similar brand is Silver Dollar Casino, which operates in both SeaTac and Renton. Both locations are geared toward casual players, emphasizing low-limit action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On How To Play Poker In Washington
Can You Play Poker At Home For Money?
Washington has one of the strictest anti-home poker laws in the country, and under RCW 9.46.240, it is a class C felony to engage in or facilitate unlicensed gambling activities. There is no statutory exemption for private or social gambling. Even "players-only" poker games held in a private residence could technically qualify as illegal gambling, though they are often unenforced. Still, playing poker for money at home in Washington is explicitly illegal, and violators may face criminal penalties.
Can I Play WSOP Online In Washington?
While the WSOP brand is globally recognized as one of the most prestigious names in poker, the WSOP app is not legally playable in Washington. Despite the app’s widespread popularity and the trust it has earned among players worldwide, including a robust tournament structure and a variety of game formats, Washington's laws do not allow residents to play. The closest state with poker that has WSOP is Nevada.
- Learn More: Online Poker Sites In Nevada
Is Ignition Poker Legal In Washington?
Ignition Poker is legal and readily available in Washington State. The platform has some of the best online poker bonuses in the industry and takes more poker deposit methods than just about any other platform in Washington. The key selling point of Ignition is that it offers Anonymous Tables and has weekly poker tournaments in Washington that are very popular.
Is It Legal To Play Poker At Bovada In Washington?
Yes, Bovada is legal in Washington to play poker. The gold standard among online poker sites in Washington State, Bovada offers more tournaments, tables, and bonuses than any other platform. The minimum age to legally play at Bovada in Washington is 18 years old. Bovada accepts Washington users who are playing on a desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet via their website, which automatically adjusts to fit any screen.
- More: States With Bovada Poker
Is BetOnline Poker Available in Washington?
BetOnline Poker is available for real-money play in Washington. Despite the restrictive gambling laws in Washington state, BetOnline Poker remains accessible to players, as they do not explicitly prohibit players from the state. One exciting feature that BetOnline Poker offers is the Play & Win Leaderboards, where players can compete for their share of over $150,000 in monthly poker rewards. Earn points through gameplay and climb the leaderboards for a chance to win in-game bonuses and $2,500 in prizes daily.