Internet Online gambling outlawed in Washington
One of the new laws taking effect today in Washington makes online gambling a Class C felony, carrying penalties of a ten-thousand dollar fine or up to five years in prison.
The director of the state Gambling Commission, Rick Day, says it is unlikely that individual gamblers will be targeted for arrest. But he says agents have gone to homes in the past year to warn gamblers that their gambling was illegal. It was a misdemeanor then. No one has been prosecuted in Washington for online gambling
Day says his priorities are to go after operators based in Washington or national and international gambling promoters.
The bill making online gambling a felony passed unanimously in the state Senate with only five dissenting votes in the House. It was signed into law March 28th by Governor Gregoire.
The sponsor, Senator Margarita Prentice of Renton, says the new law protects gamblers from themselves and dishonest gambling operators.
The online gambling law does not apply to horse racing that is allowed on Web sites approved by the state Horse Racing Commission.
