Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Washington State?

The law: RCW 9.46.240

Rather than passing a new law aimed specifically at sweepstakes casinos, Washington relies on RCW 9.46.240, which makes it unlawful to knowingly transmit or receive gambling information over the internet. A violation is a Class C felony, carrying up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines per offense - a notably harsher baseline than most states use for this issue.

The Washington State Gambling Commission has issued formal guidance stating that the sweepstakes casino model - combining elements of two otherwise-authorized activity types (see our guide to how the model works) - creates a third, unauthorized category under the state's Gambling Act.

Why the "no purchase necessary" defense doesn't work here

The sweepstakes-casino legal argument elsewhere in the country hinges on Sweeps Coins always being obtainable for free, which removes "consideration" (payment) from the legal definition of gambling. Washington closed that door years before sweepstakes casinos existed in their current form: in Kater v. Churchill Downs (2018), the Washington Supreme Court ruled that virtual casino chips count as a "thing of value" under state gambling law even when they can't be cashed out directly - meaning the free-entry structure that works in most other states doesn't clear the bar in Washington.

What this means for you

In practice, essentially every sweepstakes casino operator blocks Washington IP addresses outright rather than test this - it's one of the most consistently and strictly enforced restrictions of any state on this list.

Compiled from public reporting as of September 2026. Laws and enforcement can change - this is general information, not legal advice. If you have questions about your own situation, consult a licensed attorney.