Washington State Eyes Betting On Fantasy Sports

In addition to looking at legalizing online poker, the state of Washington is considering authorizing real-money betting on fantasy sports leagues and contests.

According to seattletimes.com, some lawmakers in Olympia want to reclassify fantasy sports betting as a skill-based game, rather than gambling, like 40 other U.S. states have done. There are bills in both the House and Senate looking to OK fantasy sports betting in the Evergreen State.

Currently, playing either online poker or playing fantasy sports for real money is not legal in Washington. The Washington fantasy sports bill would not regulate online fantasy sports wagering, but it could pave the way for gambling facilities located in the state to host contests.

The size of the fantasy sports market in the U.S. is estimated at $3 billion to $4 billion, annually. “It’s always been something that’s been going on around me all the time,” state Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle, told the Seattle Times. Pettigrew is the primary sponsor of the House bill. “People are always talking about their fantasy sports leagues.”

Here’s a look at the bill.

HB 1301

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