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US – Washington sports betting bill advances through House of Representatives

By - 17 February 2020

The Washington state House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to introduce sports betting by a vote of 83-14 in favour.

An emergency amendment saw the sports betting bill HB-2638 brought to the floor but the clock is ticking on whether it will become a reality before the legislature adjourns next month, due to a short legislative session with 2020 being an election year.

The legislation would allow 29 tribal casinos to renegotiate their compacts with the state to add forms of sports betting inside their casinos but they won’t allow sports betting to be launched at privately owned card rooms or racetracks.

Whilst the nearest tribal casino is 30-minute drive from the Emerald City, Nevada-based Maverick Gaming, which has been buying card rooms in the state in anticipation of sports betting being approved, has many much closer. Over the past year, Maverick has acquired 19 of Washington’s 44 card rooms. It is likely to challenge its exclusion from the sports betting party.

Maverick founder and CEO Eric Persson said: “There is no doubt this is a tough fight. It still has to pass the Senate, where we are hopeful they will see it more like Washingtonians do; which is tax free monopolies aren’t good for the state. All of the polling we’ve done statewide, the feedback is really clear. It shouldn’t be a monopoly and it should be taxed. Those taxed dollars should go toward great social causes. That’s what the overwhelming majority of Washingtonians say.”

Republican Strom Peterson, the sponsor of HB 2638, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the strong 83-14 bipartisan vote. We have found a good middle path that supports our tribal partners, allows adults to safely access sports betting and protects our youth.”

Caption: Wizards Casino in Burien, Washington, owned by Maverick Gaming

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