Washington Gambling Laws

Washington Revised Code

RCW 4.24.070
Recovery of money lost at gambling.

All persons losing money or anything of value at or on any illegal gambling games shall have a cause of action to recover from the dealer or player winning, or from the proprietor for whose benefit such game was played or dealt, or such money or things of value won, the amount of the money or the value of the thing so lost.

RCW 9.46.010
Legislative declaration.

The public policy of the state of Washington on gambling is to keep the criminal element out of gambling and to promote the social welfare of the people by limiting the nature and scope of gambling activities and by strict regulation and control.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature, recognizing the close relationship between professional gambling and organized crime, to restrain all persons from seeking profit from professional gambling activities in this state; to restrain all persons from patronizing such professional gambling activities; to safeguard the public against the evils induced by common gamblers and common gambling houses engaged in professional gambling; and at the same time, both to preserve the freedom of the press and to avoid restricting participation by individuals in activities and social pastimes, which activities and social pastimes are more for amusement rather than for profit, do not maliciously affect the public, and do not breach the peace.

The legislature further declares that the raising of funds for the promotion of bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations is in the public interest as is participation in such activities and social pastimes as are hereinafter in this chapter authorized.

The legislature further declares that the conducting of bingo, raffles, and amusement games and the operation of punch boards, pull-tabs, card games and other social pastimes, when conducted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, are hereby authorized, as are only such lotteries for which no valuable consideration has been paid or agreed to be paid as hereinafter in this chapter provided.

The legislature further declares that fishing derbies shall not constitute any form of gambling and shall not be considered as a lottery, a raffle, or an amusement game and shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter or any rules and regulations adopted hereunder.

The legislature further declares that raffles authorized by the fish and wildlife commission involving hunting big game animals or wild turkeys shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter or any rules and regulations adopted hereunder, with the exception of this section and RCW 9.46.400.

All factors incident to the activities authorized in this chapter shall be closely controlled, and the provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to achieve such end.

RCW 9.46.0201
"Amusement game."

as used in this chapter, means a game played for entertainment in which:

     (1) The contestant actively participates;
     (2) The outcome depends in a material degree upon the skill of the contestant;
     (3) Only merchandise prizes are awarded;
     (4) The outcome is not in the control of the operator;
     (5) The wagers are placed, the winners are determined, and a distribution of prizes or property is made in the presence of all persons placing wagers at such game; and
    (6) Said game is conducted or operated by any agricultural fair, person, association, or organization in such manner and at such locations as may be authorized by rules and regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to this chapter as now or hereafter amended.
    Cake walks as commonly known and fish ponds as commonly known shall be treated as amusement games for all purposes under this chapter.

RCW 9.46.0205
"Bingo."

as used in this chapter, means a game conducted only in the county within which the organization is principally located in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols on a card conforming to numbers or symbols selected at random and in which no cards are sold except at the time and place of said game, when said game is conducted by a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, or if an agricultural fair authorized under chapters 15.76 and 36.37 RCW, which does not conduct bingo on more than twelve consecutive days in any calendar year, and except in the case of any agricultural fair as authorized under chapters 15.76 and 36.37 RCW, no person other than a bona fide member or an employee of said organization takes any part in the management or operation of said game, and no person who takes any part in the management or operation of said game takes any part in the management or operation of any game conducted by any other organization or any other branch of the same organization, unless approved by the commission, and no part of the proceeds thereof inure to the benefit of any person other than the organization conducting said game. For the purposes of this section, the organization shall be deemed to be principally located in the county within which it has its primary business office. If the organization has no business office, the organization shall be deemed to be located in the county of principal residence of its chief executive officer: PROVIDED, That any organization which is conducting any licensed and established bingo game in any locale as of January 1, 1981, shall be exempt from the requirement that such game be conducted in the county in which the organization is principally located.

RCW 9.46.0209
"Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization." as used in this chapter, means:

(i) Any organization duly existing under the provisions of chapter 24.12, 24.20, or 24.28 RCW, any agricultural fair authorized under the provisions of chapters 15.76 or 36.37 RCW, or any nonprofit corporation duly existing under the provisions of chapter 24.03 RCW for charitable, benevolent, eleemosynary, educational, civic, patriotic, political, social, fraternal, athletic or agricultural purposes only, or any nonprofit organization, whether incorporated or otherwise, when found by the commission to be organized and operating for one or more of the aforesaid purposes only, all of which in the opinion of the commission have been organized and are operated primarily for purposes other than the operation of gambling activities authorized under this chapter; or

(ii) Any corporation which has been incorporated under Title 36 U.S.C. and whose principal purposes are to furnish volunteer aid to members of the armed forces of the United States and also to carry on a system of national and international relief and to apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other national calamities and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same.

(b) An organization defined under (a) of this subsection must:

(i) Have been organized and continuously operating for at least twelve calendar months immediately preceding making application for any license to operate a gambling activity, or the operation of any gambling activity authorized by this chapter for which no license is required;

(ii) Have not less than fifteen bona fide active members each with the right to an equal vote in the election of the officers, or board members, if any, who determine the policies of the organization in order to receive a gambling license; and

(iii) Demonstrate to the commission that it has made significant progress toward the accomplishment of the purposes of the organization during the twelve consecutive month period preceding the date of application for a license or license renewal. The fact that contributions to an organization do not qualify for charitable contribution deduction purposes or that the organization is not otherwise exempt from payment of federal income taxes pursuant to the internal revenue code of 1954, as amended, shall constitute prima facie evidence that the organization is not a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization for the purposes of this section.

(c) Any person, association or organization which pays its employees, including members, compensation other than is reasonable therefor under the local prevailing wage scale shall be deemed paying compensation based in part or whole upon receipts relating to gambling activities authorized under this chapter and shall not be a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization for the purposes of this chapter.

(2) For the purposes of RCW 9.46.0315 and 9.46.110, a bona fide nonprofit organization also includes:

(a) A credit union organized and operating under state or federal law. All revenue less prizes and expenses received from raffles conducted by credit unions must be devoted to purposes authorized under this section for charitable and nonprofit organizations; and

(b) A group of executive branch state employees that:

(i) Has requested and received revocable approval from the agency's chief executive official, or such official's designee, to conduct one or more raffles in compliance with this section;

(ii) Conducts a raffle solely to raise funds for either the state combined fund drive, created under RCW 41.04.033; an entity approved to receive funds from the state combined fund drive; or a charitable or benevolent entity, including but not limited to a person or family in need, as determined by a majority vote of the approved group of employees. No person or other entity may receive compensation in any form from the group for services rendered in support of this purpose;

(iii) Promptly provides such information about the group's receipts, expenditures, and other activities as the agency's chief executive official or designee may periodically require, and otherwise complies with this section and RCW 9.46.0315; and

(iv) Limits the participation in the raffle such that raffle tickets are sold only to, and winners are determined only from, the employees of the agency.

(3) For the purposes of RCW 9.46.0277, a bona fide nonprofit organization also includes a county, city, or town, provided that all revenue less prizes and expenses from raffles conducted by the county, city, or town must be used for community activities or tourism promotion activities.
[2009 c 137 ß 1; 2007 c 452 ß 1; 2000 c 233 ß 1; 1987 c 4 ß 4. Formerly RCW 9.46.020(3).] RCW 9.46.0237 "Gambling."
"Gambling," as used in this chapter, means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. Gambling does not include fishing derbies as defined by this chapter, parimutuel betting and handicapping contests as authorized by chapter 67.16 RCW, bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, including, but not limited to, contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities, and agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including, but not limited to, contracts of indemnity or guarantee and life, health, or accident insurance. In addition, a contest of chance which is specifically excluded from the definition of lottery under this chapter shall not constitute gambling.

RCW 9.46.0213
"Bookmaking."

as used in this chapter, means accepting bets, upon the outcome of future contingent events, as a business or in which the bettor is charged a fee or "vigorish" for the opportunity to place a bet.

RCW 9.46.0217
"Commercial stimulant."

as used in this chapter, means an activity is operated as a commercial stimulant, for the purposes of this chapter, only when it is an activity operated in connection with an established business, with the purpose of increasing the volume of sales of food or drink for consumption on that business premises. The commission may by rule establish guidelines and criteria for applying this definition to its applicants and licensees for gambling activities authorized by this chapter as commercial stimulants.

RCW 9.46.0221
"Commission."

as used in this chapter, means the Washington state gambling commission created in RCW 9.46.040.

RCW 9.46.0225
"Contest of chance."

as used in this chapter, means any contest, game, gaming scheme, or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein.

[Definitions of “Fishing Derby” and “Fund Raising Event” omitted.]

RCW 9.46.0237
"Gambling."

as used in this chapter, means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.

Gambling does not include  fishing derbies as defined by this chapter, parimutuel betting and handicapping contests as authorized by chapter 67.16 RCW, bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, including, but not limited to, contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities, and agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including, but not limited to, contracts of indemnity or guarantee and life, health, or accident insurance. In addition, a contest of chance which is specifically excluded from the definition of lottery under this chapter shall not constitute gambling.

RCW 9.46.0241
"Gambling device."

as used in this chapter, means:

(1) Any device or mechanism the operation of which a right to money, credits, deposits or other things of value may be created, in return for a consideration, as the result of the operation of an element of chance, including, but not limited to slot machines, video pull-tabs, video poker, and other electronic games of chance;

(2) any device or mechanism which, when operated for a consideration, does not return the same value or thing of value for the same consideration upon each operation thereof;

(3) any device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction or installation designed primarily for use in connection with professional gambling; and

(4) any subassembly or essential part designed or intended for use in connection with any such device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction or installation.

In the application of this definition, a pinball machine or similar mechanical amusement device which confers only an immediate and unrecorded right of replay on players thereof, which does not contain any mechanism which varies the chance of winning free games or the number of free games which may be won or a mechanism or a chute for dispensing coins or a facsimile thereof, and which prohibits multiple winnings depending upon the number of coins inserted and requires the playing of five balls individually upon the insertion of a nickel or dime, as the case may be, to complete any one operation thereof, shall not be deemed a gambling device: PROVIDED, That owning, possessing, buying, selling, renting, leasing, financing, holding a security interest in, storing, repairing and transporting such pinball machines or similar mechanical amusement devices shall not be deemed engaging in professional gambling for the purposes of this chapter and shall not be a violation of this chapter: PROVIDED FURTHER, That any fee for the purchase or rental of any such pinball machines or similar amusement devices shall have no relation to the use to which such machines are put but be based only upon the market value of any such machine, regardless of the location of or type of premises where used, and any fee for the storing, repairing and transporting thereof shall have no relation to the use to which such machines are put, but be commensurate with the cost of labor and other expenses incurred in any such storing, repairing and transporting.

RCW 9.46.0245
"Gambling information."

as used in this chapter, means any wager made in the course of and any information intended to be used for professional gambling. In the application of this definition, information as to wagers, betting odds and changes in betting odds shall be presumed to be intended for use in professional gambling. This section shall not apply to newspapers of general circulation or commercial radio and television stations licensed by the federal communications commission.

RCW 9.46.0249
"Gambling premises."

as used in this chapter, means any building, room, enclosure, vehicle, vessel or other place used or intended to be used for professional gambling. In the application of this definition, any place where a gambling device is found shall be presumed to be intended to be used for professional gambling.

RCW 9.46.0253
"Gambling record."

as used in this chapter, means any record, receipt, ticket, certificate, token, slip or notation given, made, used or intended to be used in connection with professional gambling.

RCW 9.46.0257
"Lottery."

as used in this chapter, means a scheme for the distribution of money or property by chance, among persons who have paid or agreed to pay a valuable consideration for the chance.

RCW 9.46.0261
"Member," "bona fide member."

as used in this chapter, mean a person accepted for membership in an organization eligible to be licensed by the commission under this chapter upon application, with such action being recorded in the official minutes of a regular meeting or who has held full and regular membership status in the organization for a period of not less than twelve consecutive months prior to participating in the management or operation of any gambling activity. Such membership must in no way be dependent upon, or in any way related to, the payment of consideration to participate in any gambling activity.

Member or bona fide member shall include only members of an organization's specific chapter or unit licensed by the commission or otherwise actively conducting the gambling activity: PROVIDED, That:

(1) Members of chapters or local units of a state, regional or national organization may be considered members of the parent organization for the purpose of a gambling activity conducted by the parent organization, if the rules of the parent organization so permit;

(2) Members of a bona fide auxiliary to a principal organization may be considered members of the principal organization for the purpose of a gambling activity conducted by the principal organization. Members of the principal organization may also be considered members of its auxiliary for the purpose of a gambling activity conducted by the auxiliary; and

(3) Members of any chapter or local unit within the jurisdiction of the next higher level of the parent organization, and members of a bona fide auxiliary to that chapter or unit, may assist any other chapter or local unit of that same organization licensed by the commission in the conduct of gambling activities.

No person shall be a member of any organization if that person's primary purpose for membership is to become, or continue to be, a participant in, or an operator or manager of, any gambling activity or activities.

RCW 9.46.0265
"Player."

as used in this chapter, means a natural person who engages, on equal terms with the other participants, and solely as a contestant or bettor, in any form of gambling in which no person may receive or become entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of a particular gambling activity. A natural person who gambles at a social game of chance on equal terms with the other participants shall not be considered as rendering material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of the social game merely by performing, without fee or remuneration, acts directed toward the arrangement or facilitation of the game, such as inviting persons to play, permitting the use of premises for the game, or supplying cards or other equipment to be used in the games. A person who engages in "bookmaking" as defined in this chapter is not a "player." A person who pays a fee or "vigorish" enabling him or her to place a wager with a bookmaker, or pays a fee other than as authorized by this chapter to participate in a card game, contest of chance, lottery, or gambling activity, is not a player.

RCW 9.46.0269
"Professional gambling."

(1) A person is engaged in "professional gambling" for the purposes of this chapter when:

(a) Acting other than as a player or in the manner authorized by this chapter, the person knowingly engages in conduct which materially aids any form of gambling activity; or

(b) Acting other than in a manner authorized by this chapter, the person pays a fee to participate in a card game, contest of chance, lottery, or other gambling activity; or

(c) Acting other than as a player or in the manner authorized by this chapter, the person knowingly accepts or receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any other person whereby he or she participates or is to participate in the proceeds of gambling activity; or

(d) The person engages in bookmaking; or

(e) The person conducts a lottery; or

(f) The person violates RCW 9.46.039. [Greyhound racing.]

(2) Conduct under subsection (1)(a) of this section, except as exempted under this chapter, includes but is not limited to conduct directed toward the creation or establishment of the particular game, contest, scheme, device or activity involved, toward the acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment or apparatus therefor,

toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to participate therein,

toward the actual conduct of the playing phases thereof,

toward the arrangement of any of its financial or recording phases, or

toward any other phase of its operation.

If a person having substantial proprietary or other authoritative control over any premises shall permit the premises to be used with the person's knowledge for the purpose of conducting gambling activity other than gambling activities authorized by this chapter, and acting other than as a player, and the person permits such to occur or continue or makes no effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation, the person shall be considered as being engaged in professional gambling: PROVIDED, That the proprietor of a bowling establishment who awards prizes obtained from player contributions, to players successfully knocking down pins upon the contingency of identifiable pins being placed in a specified position or combination of positions, as designated by the posted rules of the bowling establishment, where the proprietor does not participate in the proceeds of the "prize fund" shall not be construed to be engaging in "professional gambling" within the meaning of this chapter: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the books and records of the games shall be open to public inspection.

9.46.0273 "Punch boards," "pull-tabs"

as used in this chapter, shall be given their usual and ordinary meaning as of July 16, 1973, except that such definition may be revised by the commission pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.

9.46.0277 "Raffle"

"Raffle," as used in this chapter, means a game in which tickets bearing an individual number are sold for not more than one hundred dollars each and in which a prize or prizes are awarded on the basis of a drawing from the tickets by the person or persons conducting the game, when the game is conducted by a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, no person other than a bona fide member of the organization takes any part in the management or operation of the game, and no part of the proceeds thereof inure to the benefit of any person other than the organization conducting the game.

RCW 9.46.0282
"Social card game."

as used in this chapter means a card game that constitutes gambling and is authorized by the commission under RCW 9.46.070. Authorized card games may include a house-banked or a player-funded banked card game. No one may participate in the card game or have an interest in the proceeds of the card game who is not a player or a person licensed by the commission to participate in social card games. There shall be two or more participants in the card game who are players or persons licensed by the commission. The card game must be played in accordance with the rules adopted by the commission under RCW 9.46.070, which shall include but not be limited to rules for the collection of fees, limitation of wagers, and management of player funds. The number of tables authorized shall be set by the commission but shall not exceed a total of fifteen separate tables per establishment.

RCW 9.46.0285
"Thing of value."

as used in this chapter, means any money or property, any token, object or article exchangeable for money or property, or any form of credit or promise, directly or indirectly, contemplating transfer of money or property or of any interest therein, or involving extension of a service, entertainment or a privilege of playing at a game or scheme without charge.

RCW 9.46.0289
"Whoever," "person."

as used in this chapter, include natural persons, corporations and partnerships and associations of persons; and when any corporate officer, director or stockholder or any partner authorizes, participates in, or knowingly accepts benefits from any violation of this chapter committed by his or her corporation or partnership, he or she shall be punishable for such violation as if it had been directly committed by him or her.

9.46.0305 Dice or coin contests for music, food, or beverage payment

The legislature hereby authorizes the wagering on the outcome of the roll of dice or the flipping of or matching of coins on the premises of an establishment engaged in the business of selling food or beverages for consumption on the premises to determine which of the participants will pay for coin-operated music on the premises or certain items of food or beverages served or sold by such establishment and therein consumed. Such establishments are hereby authorized to possess dice and dice cups on their premises, but only for use in such limited wagering. Persons engaged in such limited form of wagering shall not be subject to the criminal or civil penalties otherwise provided for in this chapter.

9.46.0311 Charitable, nonprofit organizations

-- Authorized gambling activities. The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games, and fund raising events, and to utilize punch boards and pull-tabs and to allow their premises and facilities to be used by only members, their guests, and members of a chapter or unit organized under the same state, regional, or national charter or constitution, to play social card games authorized by the commission, when licensed, conducted or operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

9.46.0315 Raffles -- No license required, when.

Bona fide charitable or bona fide nonprofit organizations organized primarily for purposes other than the conduct of raffles, are hereby authorized to conduct raffles without obtaining a license to do so from the commission when such raffles are held in accordance with all other requirements of this chapter, other applicable laws, and rules of the commission; when gross revenues from all such raffles held by the organization during the calendar year do not exceed five thousand dollars; and when tickets to such raffles are sold only to, and winners are determined only from among, the regular members of the organization conducting the raffle. The organization may provide unopened containers of beverages containing alcohol as raffle prizes if the appropriate permit has been obtained from the liquor control board: PROVIDED, That the term members for this purpose shall mean only those persons who have become members prior to the commencement of the raffle and whose qualification for membership was not dependent upon, or in any way related to, the purchase of a ticket, or tickets, for such raffles.

9.46.0321 Bingo, raffles, amusement games -- No license required, when.

Bona fide charitable or bona fide nonprofit organizations organized primarily for purposes other than the conduct of such activities are hereby authorized to conduct bingo, raffles, and amusement games, without obtaining a license to do so from the commission but only when:
(1) Such activities are held in accordance with all other requirements of this chapter, other applicable laws, and rules of the commission;
(2) Said activities are, alone or in any combination, conducted no more than twice each calendar year and over a period of no more than twelve consecutive days each time, notwithstanding the limitations of RCW 9.46.0205: PROVIDED, That a raffle conducted under this subsection may be conducted for a period longer than twelve days;
(3) Only bona fide members of that organization, who are not paid for such services, participate in the management or operation of the activities;
(4) Gross revenues to the organization from all the activities together do not exceed five thousand dollars during any calendar year;
(5) All revenue therefrom, after deducting the cost of prizes and other expenses of the activity, is devoted solely to the purposes for which the organization qualifies as a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization;
(6) The organization gives notice at least five days in advance of the conduct of any of the activities to the local police agency of the jurisdiction within which the activities are to be conducted of the organization's intent to conduct the activities, the location of the activities, and the date or dates they will be conducted; and
(7) The organization conducting the activities maintains records for a period of one year from the date of the event which accurately show at a minimum the gross revenue from each activity, details of the expenses of conducting the activities, and details of the uses to which the gross revenue therefrom is put.

9.46.0325 Social card games, punch boards, pull-tabs authorized.

The legislature hereby authorizes any person, association or organization operating an established business primarily engaged in the selling of food or drink for consumption on the premises to conduct social card games and to utilize punch boards and pull-tabs as a commercial stimulant to such business when licensed and utilized or operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

9.46.0331 Amusement games authorized -- Minimum rules.

The legislature hereby authorizes any person to conduct or operate amusement games when licensed and operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations adopted by the commission at such locations as the commission may authorize. The rules shall provide for at least the following:

(1) Persons other than bona fide charitable or bona fide nonprofit organizations shall conduct amusement games only after obtaining a special amusement game license from the commission.

(2) Amusement games may be conducted under such a license only as a part of, and upon the site of:

(a) Any agricultural fair as authorized under chapter 15.76 or 36.37 RCW; or

(b) A civic center of a county, city, or town; or

(c) A world's fair or similar exposition that is approved by the bureau of international expositions at Paris, France; or

(d) A community-wide civic festival held not more than once annually and sponsored or approved by the city, town, or county in which it is held; or

(e) A commercial exposition organized and sponsored by an organization or association representing the retail sales and service operators conducting business in a shopping center or other commercial area developed and operated for retail sales and service, but only upon a parking lot or similar area located in said shopping center or commercial area for a period of no more than seventeen consecutive days by any licensee during any calendar year; or

(f) An amusement park. An amusement park is a group of activities, at a permanent location, to which people go to be entertained through a combination of various mechanical or aquatic rides, theatrical productions, motion picture, and/or slide show presentations with food and drink service. The amusement park must include at least five different mechanical, or aquatic rides, three additional activities, and the gross receipts must be primarily from these amusement activities; or

(g) Within a regional shopping center. A regional shopping center is a shopping center developed and operated for retail sales and service by retail sales and service operators and consisting of more than six hundred thousand gross square feet not including parking areas. Amusement games conducted as a part of, and upon the site of, a regional shopping center shall not be subject to the prohibition on revenue sharing set forth in RCW 9.46.120(2); or

(h) A location that possesses a valid license from the Washington state liquor control board and prohibits minors on their premises; or

(i) Movie theaters, bowling alleys, miniature golf course facilities, and amusement centers. For the purposes of this section an amusement center shall be defined as a permanent location whose primary source of income is from the operation of ten or more amusement devices; or

(j) Any business whose primary activity is to provide food service for on premises consumption and who offers family entertainment which includes at least three of the following activities: Amusement devices; theatrical productions; mechanical rides; motion pictures; and slide show presentations; or

(k) Other locations as the commission may authorize.

(3) No amusement games may be conducted in any location except in conformance with local zoning, fire, health, and similar regulations. In no event may the licensee conduct any amusement games at any of the locations set out in subsection (2) of this section without first having obtained the written permission to do so from the person or organization owning the premises or an authorized agent thereof, and from the persons sponsoring the fair, exhibition, commercial exhibition, or festival, or from the city or town operating the civic center, in connection with which the games are to be operated.

(4) In no event may a licensee conduct any amusement games at the location described in subsection (2)(g) of this section, without, at the location of such games, providing adult supervision during all hours the licensee is open for business at such location, prohibiting school-age minors from entry during school hours, maintaining full-time personnel whose responsibilities include maintaining security and daily machine maintenance, and providing for hours for the close of business at such location that are no later than 10:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and on all other days that are the same as those of the regional shopping center in which the licensee is located.

(5) In no event may a licensee conduct any amusement game at a location described in subsection (2)(i) or (j) of this section, without, at the location of such games, providing adult supervision during all hours the licensee is open for business at such location, prohibiting school-age minors from playing licensed amusement games during school hours, maintaining full-time personnel whose responsibilities include maintaining security and daily machine maintenance, and prohibiting minors from playing the amusement games after 10:00 p.m. on any day.

9.46.0335 Sports pools authorized.

The legislature hereby authorizes any person, association, or organization to conduct sports pools without a license to do so from the commission but only when the outcome of which is dependent upon the score, or scores, of a certain athletic contest and which is conducted only in the following manner:
(1) A board or piece of paper is divided into one hundred equal squares, each of which constitutes a chance to win in the sports pool and each of which is offered directly to prospective contestants at one dollar or less;
(2) The purchaser of each chance or square signs his or her name on the face of each square or chance he or she purchases; and
(3) At some time not later than prior to the start of the subject athletic contest the pool is closed and no further chances in the pool are sold;
(4) After the pool is closed a prospective score is assigned by random drawing to each square;
(5) All money paid by entrants to enter the pool less taxes is paid out as the prize or prizes to those persons holding squares assigned the winning score or scores from the subject athletic contest;
(6) The sports pool board is available for inspection by any person purchasing a chance thereon, the commission, or by any law enforcement agency upon demand at all times prior to the payment of the prize;
(7) The person or organization conducting the pool is conducting no other sports pool on the same athletic event; and
(8) The sports pool conforms to any rules and regulations of the commission applicable thereto.

9.46.0341 Golfing sweepstakes authorized.

The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations to conduct, without the necessity of obtaining a permit or license to do so from the commission, golfing sweepstakes permitting wagers of money, and the same shall not constitute such gambling or lottery as otherwise prohibited in this chapter, or be subject to civil or criminal penalties thereunder, but this only when the outcome of such golfing sweepstakes is dependent upon the score, or scores, or the playing ability, or abilities, of a golfing contest between individual players or teams of such players, conducted in the following manner:

(1) Wagers are placed by buying tickets on any players in a golfing contest to "win," "place," or "show" and those holding tickets on the three winners may receive a payoff similar to the system of betting identified as parimutuel, such moneys placed as wagers to be used primarily as winners' proceeds, except moneys used to defray the expenses of such golfing sweepstakes or otherwise used to carry out the purposes of such organization; or

(2) Participants in any golfing contest(s) pay a like sum of money into a common fund on the basis of attaining a stated number of points ascertainable from the score of such participants, and those participants attaining such stated number of points share equally in the moneys in the common fund, without any percentage of such moneys going to the sponsoring organization; or

(3) An auction is held in which persons may bid on the players or teams of players in the golfing contest, and the person placing the highest bid on the player or team that wins the golfing contest receives the proceeds of the auction, except moneys used to defray the expenses of the golfing sweepstakes or otherwise used to carry out the purposes of the organizations; and

(4) Participation is limited to members of the sponsoring organization and their bona fide guests.

9.46.0345 Bowling sweepstakes authorized.

The legislature hereby authorizes bowling establishments to conduct, without the necessity of obtaining a permit or license to do so, as a commercial stimulant, a bowling activity which permits bowlers to purchase tickets from the establishment for a predetermined and posted amount of money, which tickets are then selected by the luck of the draw and the holder of the matching ticket so drawn has an opportunity to bowl a strike and if successful receives a predetermined and posted monetary prize: PROVIDED, That all sums collected by the establishment from the sale of tickets shall be returned to purchasers of tickets and no part of the proceeds shall inure to any person other than the participants winning in the game or a recognized charity. The tickets shall be sold, and accounted for, separately from all other sales of the establishment. The price of any single ticket shall not exceed one dollar. Accounting records shall be available for inspection during business hours by any person purchasing a chance thereon, by the commission or its representatives, or by any law enforcement agency.

9.46.0351 Social card, dice games

-- Use of premises of charitable, nonprofit organizations.

(1) The legislature hereby authorizes any bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization which is licensed pursuant to RCW 66.24.400, and its officers and employees, to allow the use of the premises, furnishings, and other facilities not gambling devices of such organization by members of the organization, and members of a chapter or unit organized under the same state, regional, or national charter or constitution, who engage as players in the following types of gambling activities only:

(a) Social card games; and
(b) Social dice games, which shall be limited to contests of chance, the outcome of which are determined by one or more rolls of dice.

(2) Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations shall not be required to be licensed by the commission in order to allow use of their premises in accordance with this section. However, the following conditions must be met:

(a) No organization, corporation, or person shall collect or obtain or charge any percentage of or shall collect or obtain any portion of the money or thing of value wagered or won by any of the players: PROVIDED, That a player may collect his or her winnings; and

(b) No organization, corporation, or person shall collect or obtain any money or thing of value from, or charge or impose any fee upon, any person which either enables him or her to play or results in or from his or her playing: PROVIDED, That this subsection shall not preclude collection of a membership fee which is unrelated to participation in gambling activities authorized under this section.

9.46.0356 Promotional contests of chance authorized

(1) The legislature authorizes a business to conduct a promotional contest of chance as defined in this section, in this state, or partially in this state, whereby the elements of prize and chance are present but in which the element of consideration is not present.

(2) Promotional contests of chance under this section are not gambling as defined in RCW 9.46.0237.

(3) Promotional contests of chance shall be conducted as advertising and promotional undertakings solely for the purpose of advertising or promoting the services, goods, wares, and merchandise of a business.

(4) No person eligible to receive a prize in a promotional contest of chance may be required to:

(a) Pay any consideration to the promoter or operator of the business in order to participate in the contest; or

(b) Purchase any service, goods, wares, merchandise, or anything of value from the business, however, for other than contests entered through a direct mail solicitation, the promoter or sponsor may give additional entries or chances upon purchase of service, goods, wares, or merchandise if the promoter or sponsor provides an alternate method of entry requiring no consideration.

(5)(a) As used in this section, "consideration " means anything of pecuniary value required to be paid to the promoter or sponsor in order to participate in a promotional contest. Such things as visiting a business location, placing or answering a telephone call, completing an entry form or customer survey, or furnishing a stamped, self-addressed envelope do not constitute consideration.

(b) Coupons or entry blanks obtained by purchase of a bona fide newspaper or magazine or in a program sold in conjunction with a regularly scheduled sporting event are not consideration.

(6) Unless authorized by the commission, equipment or devices made for use in a gambling activity are prohibited from use in a promotional contest.

(7) This section shall not be construed to permit noncompliance with chapter 19.170 RCW, promotional advertising of prizes, and chapter 19.86 RCW, unfair business practices.

9.46.0361 Turkey shoots authorized

The legislature hereby authorizes bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations to conduct, without the necessity of obtaining a permit or license to do so from the commission, turkey shoots permitting wagers of money. Such contests shall not constitute such gambling or lottery as otherwise prohibited in this chapter, or be subject to civil or criminal penalties. Such organizations must be organized for purposes other than the conduct of turkey shoots.

Such turkey shoots shall be held in accordance with all other requirements of this chapter, other applicable laws, and rules that may be adopted by the commission. Gross revenues from all such turkey shoots held by the organization during the calendar year shall not exceed five thousand dollars. Turkey shoots conducted under this section shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The target shall be divided into one hundred or fewer equal sections, with each section constituting a chance to win. Each chance shall be offered directly to a prospective contestant for one dollar or less;

(2) The purchaser of each chance shall sign his or her name on the face of the section he or she purchases;

(3) The person shooting at the target shall not be a participant in the contest, but shall be a member of the organization conducting the contest;

(4) Participation in the contest shall be limited to members of the organization which is conducting the contest and their guests;

(5) The target shall contain the following information:
     (a) Distance from the shooting position to the target;

     (b) The gauge of the shotgun;

     (c) The type of choke on the barrel;

     (d) The size of shot that will be used; and

     (e) The prize or prizes that are to be awarded in the contest;

(6) The targets, shotgun, and ammunition shall be available for inspection by any person purchasing a chance thereon, the commission, or by any law enforcement agency upon demand, at all times before the prizes are awarded;

(7) The turkey shoot shall award the prizes based upon the greatest number of shots striking a section;

(8) No turkey shoot may offer as a prize the right to advance or continue on to another turkey shoot or turkey shoot target; and

(9) Only bona fide members of the organization who are not paid for such service may participate in the management or operation of the turkey shoot, and all income therefrom, after deducting the cost of prizes and other expenses, shall be devoted solely to the lawful purposes of the organization.

9.46.039 Greyhound racing prohibited.

(1) A person may not hold, conduct, or operate live greyhound racing for public exhibition, parimutuel betting, or special exhibition events, if such activities are conducted for gambling purposes. A person may not transmit or receive intrastate or interstate simulcasting of greyhound racing for commercial, parimutuel, or exhibition purposes, if such activities are conducted for gambling purposes.

(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a class B felony, under RCW 9.46.220, professional gambling in the first degree, and is subject to the penalty under RCW 9A.20.021

9.46.070 Gambling commission -- Powers and duties.

The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To authorize and issue licenses for a period not to exceed one year to bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations approved by the commission meeting the requirements of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto permitting said organizations to conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games, and social card games, to utilize punchboards and pull-tabs in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and to revoke or suspend said licenses for violation of any provisions of this chapter or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto: PROVIDED, That the commission shall not deny a license to an otherwise qualified applicant in an effort to limit the number of licenses to be issued: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the commission or director shall not issue, deny, suspend, or revoke any license because of considerations of race, sex, creed, color, or national origin: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That the commission may authorize the director to temporarily issue or suspend licenses subject to final action by the commission;

(2) To authorize and issue licenses for a period not to exceed one year to any person, association, or organization operating a business primarily engaged in the selling of items of food or drink for consumption on the premises, approved by the commission meeting the requirements of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto permitting said person, association, or organization to utilize punchboards and pull-tabs and to conduct social card games as a commercial stimulant in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and to revoke or suspend said licenses for violation of any provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto: PROVIDED, That the commission shall not deny a license to an otherwise qualified applicant in an effort to limit the number of licenses to be issued: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the commission may authorize the director to temporarily issue or suspend licenses subject to final action by the commission;

(3) To authorize and issue licenses for a period not to exceed one year to any person, association, or organization approved by the commission meeting the requirements of this chapter and meeting the requirements of any rules and regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to this chapter as now or hereafter amended, permitting said person, association, or organization to conduct or operate amusement games in such manner and at such locations as the commission may determine. The commission may authorize the director to temporarily issue or suspend licenses subject to final action by the commission;

(4) To authorize, require, and issue, for a period not to exceed one year, such licenses as the commission may by rule provide, to any person, association, or organization to engage in the selling, distributing, or otherwise supplying or in the manufacturing of devices for use within this state for those activities authorized by this chapter. The commission may authorize the director to temporarily issue or suspend licenses subject to final action by the commission;

(5) To establish a schedule of annual license fees for carrying on specific gambling activities upon the premises, and for such other activities as may be licensed by the commission, which fees shall provide to the commission not less than an amount of money adequate to cover all costs incurred by the commission relative to licensing under this chapter and the enforcement by the commission of the provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto: PROVIDED, That all licensing fees shall be submitted with an application therefor and such portion of said fee as the commission may determine, based upon its cost of processing and investigation, shall be retained by the commission upon the withdrawal or denial of any such license application as its reasonable expense for processing the application and investigation into the granting thereof: PROVIDED FURTHER, That if in a particular case the basic license fee established by the commission for a particular class of license is less than the commission's actual expenses to investigate that particular application, the commission may at any time charge to that applicant such additional fees as are necessary to pay the commission for those costs. The commission may decline to proceed with its investigation and no license shall be issued until the commission has been fully paid therefor by the applicant: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That the commission may establish fees for the furnishing by it to licensees of identification stamps to be affixed to such devices and equipment as required by the commission and for such other special services or programs required or offered by the commission, the amount of each of these fees to be not less than is adequate to offset the cost to the commission of the stamps and of administering their dispersal to licensees or the cost of administering such other special services, requirements or programs;

(6) To prescribe the manner and method of payment of taxes, fees and penalties to be paid to or collected by the commission;

(7) To require that applications for all licenses contain such information as may be required by the commission: PROVIDED, That all persons (a) having a managerial or ownership interest in any gambling activity, or the building in which any gambling activity occurs, or the equipment to be used for any gambling activity, or (b) participating as an employee in the operation of any gambling activity, shall be listed on the application for the license and the applicant shall certify on the application, under oath, that the persons named on the application are all of the persons known to have an interest in any gambling activity, building, or equipment by the person making such application: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the commission shall require fingerprinting and national criminal history background checks on any persons seeking licenses, certifications, or permits under this chapter or of any person holding an interest in any gambling activity, building, or equipment to be used therefor, or of any person participating as an employee in the operation of any gambling activity. All national criminal history background checks shall be conducted using fingerprints submitted to the United States department of justice-federal bureau of investigation. The commission must establish rules to delineate which persons named on the application are subject to national criminal history background checks. In identifying these persons, the commission must take into consideration the nature, character, size, and scope of the gambling activities requested by the persons making such applications;

(8) To require that any license holder maintain records as directed by the commission and submit such reports as the commission may deem necessary;

(9) To require that all income from bingo games, raffles, and amusement games be recorded and reported as established by rule or regulation of the commission to the extent deemed necessary by considering the scope and character of the gambling activity in such a manner that will disclose gross income from any gambling activity, amounts received from each player, the nature and value of prizes, and the fact of distributions of such prizes to the winners thereof;

(10) To regulate and establish maximum limitations on income derived from bingo. In establishing limitations pursuant to this subsection the commission shall take into account (a) the nature, character, and scope of the activities of the licensee; (b) the source of all other income of the licensee; and (c) the percentage or extent to which income derived from bingo is used for charitable, as distinguished from nonprofit, purposes. However, the commission's powers and duties granted by this subsection are discretionary and not mandatory;

(11) To regulate and establish the type and scope of and manner of conducting the gambling activities authorized by this chapter, including but not limited to, the extent of wager, money, or other thing of value which may be wagered or contributed or won by a player in any such activities;

(12) To regulate the collection of and the accounting for the fee which may be imposed by an organization, corporation, or person licensed to conduct a social card game on a person desiring to become a player in a social card game in accordance with RCW 9.46.0282;

(13) To cooperate with and secure the cooperation of county, city, and other local or state agencies in investigating any matter within the scope of its duties and responsibilities;

(14) In accordance with RCW 9.46.080, to adopt such rules and regulations as are deemed necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter. All rules and regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW;

(15) To set forth for the perusal of counties, city-counties, cities and towns, model ordinances by which any legislative authority thereof may enter into the taxing of any gambling activity authorized by this chapter;

(16)(a) To establish and regulate a maximum limit on salaries or wages which may be paid to persons employed in connection with activities conducted by bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations and authorized by this chapter, where payment of such persons is allowed, and to regulate and establish maximum limits for other expenses in connection with such authorized activities, including but not limited to rent or lease payments. However, the commissioner's powers and duties granted by this subsection are discretionary and not mandatory.

(b) In establishing these maximum limits the commission shall take into account the amount of income received, or expected to be received, from the class of activities to which the limits will apply and the amount of money the games could generate for authorized charitable or nonprofit purposes absent such expenses. The commission may also take into account, in its discretion, other factors, including but not limited to, the local prevailing wage scale and whether charitable purposes are benefited by the activities;

(17) To authorize, require, and issue for a period not to exceed one year such licenses or permits, for which the commission may by rule provide, to any person to work for any operator of any gambling activity authorized by this chapter in connection with that activity, or any manufacturer, supplier, or distributor of devices for those activities in connection with such business. The commission may authorize the director to temporarily issue or suspend licenses subject to final action by the commission. The commission shall not require that persons working solely as volunteers in an authorized activity conducted by a bona fide charitable or bona fide nonprofit organization, who receive no compensation of any kind for any purpose from that organization, and who have no managerial or supervisory responsibility in connection with that activity, be licensed to do such work. The commission may require that licensees employing such unlicensed volunteers submit to the commission periodically a list of the names, addresses, and dates of birth of the volunteers. If any volunteer is not approved by the commission, the commission may require that the licensee not allow that person to work in connection with the licensed activity;

(18) To publish and make available at the office of the commission or elsewhere to anyone requesting it a list of the commission licensees, including the name, address, type of license, and license number of each licensee;

(19) To establish guidelines for determining what constitutes active membership in bona fide nonprofit or charitable organizations for the purposes of this chapter;

(20) To renew the license of every person who applies for renewal within six months after being honorably discharged, removed, or released from active military service in the armed forces of the United States upon payment of the renewal fee applicable to the license period, if there is no cause for denial, suspension, or revocation of the license; and

(21) To perform all other matters and things necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter.

RCW 9.46.160
Conducting activity without license.

Any person who conducts any activity for which a license is required by this chapter, or by rule of the commission, without the required license issued by the commission shall be guilty of a class B felony. If any corporation conducts any activity for which a license is required by this chapter, or by rule of the commission, without the required license issued by the commission, it may be punished by forfeiture of its corporate charter, in addition to the other penalties set forth in this section.

RCW 9.46.180
Causing person to violate chapter.

Any person who knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to cause any person to violate any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a class B felony subject to the penalty in RCW 9A.20.021.

RCW 9.46.185
Causing person to violate rule or regulation.

Any person who knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to cause any person to violate any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021..

RCW 9.46.190
Violations relating to fraud or deceit.

Any person or association or organization operating any gambling activity who or which, directly or indirectly, shall in the course of such operation:

(1) Employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud; or

(2) Make any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statement made not misleading, in the light of the circumstances under which said statement is made; or

(3) Engage in any act, practice or course of operation as would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person;

 Shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021.

RCW 9.46.196

Cheating -- Defined.

"Cheating, " as used in this chapter, means to:

(1) Employ or attempt to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud any other participant or any operator;
(2) Engage in any act, practice, or course of operation as would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any other participant or any operator;
(3) Engage in any act, practice, or course of operation while participating in a gambling activity with the intent of cheating any other participant or the operator to gain an advantage in the game over the other participant or operator; or
(4) Cause, aid, abet, or conspire with another person to cause any other person to violate subsections (1) through (3) of this section.

RCW 9.46.1961

Cheating in the first degree.

(1) A person is guilty of cheating in the first degree if he or she engages in cheating and:

(a) Knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to engage in cheating; or

(b) Holds a license or similar permit issued by the state of Washington to conduct, manage, or act as an employee in an authorized gambling activity.

 (2) Cheating in the first degree is a class C felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021. In addition to any other penalties imposed by law for a conviction of a violation of this section the court may impose an additional penalty of up to twenty thousand dollars.

RCW 9.46.1962
Cheating in the second degree.

(1) A person is guilty of cheating in the second degree if he or she engages in cheating and his or her conduct does not constitute cheating in the first degree.

(2) Cheating in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021.

RCW 9.46.198
Working in gambling activity without license as violation -- Penalty.

Any person who works as an employee or agent or in a similar capacity for another person in connection with the operation of an activity for which a license is required under this chapter or by commission rule without having obtained the applicable license required by the commission under RCW 9.46.070(17) shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punished by not more than one year in the county jail or a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

RCW 9.46.200
Action for money damages due to violations -- Interest -- Attorneys' fees -- Evidence for exoneration.

In addition to any other penalty provided for in this chapter, every person, directly or indirectly controlling the operation of any gambling activity authorized by this chapter, including a director, officer, and/or manager of any association, organization or corporation conducting the same, whether charitable, nonprofit, or profit, shall be liable, jointly and severally, for money damages suffered by any person because of any violation of this chapter, together with interest on any such amount of money damages at six percent per annum from the date of the loss, and reasonable attorneys' fees:

PROVIDED, That if any such director, officer, and/or manager did not know any such violation was taking place and had taken all reasonable care to prevent any such violation from taking place, and if such director, officer and/or manager shall establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he did not have such knowledge and that he had exercised all reasonable care to prevent the violations he shall not be liable hereunder. Any civil action under this section may be considered a class action.

RCW 9.46.210
Enforcement -- Commission as a law enforcement agency.

(1) It shall be the duty of all peace officers, law enforcement officers, and law enforcement agencies within this state to investigate, enforce, and prosecute all violations of this chapter.

(2) In addition to the authority granted by subsection (1) of this section law enforcement agencies of cities and counties shall investigate and report to the commission all violations of the provisions of this chapter and of the rules of the commission found by them and shall assist the commission in any of its investigations and proceedings respecting any such violations. Such law enforcement agencies shall not be deemed agents of the commission.

(3) In addition to its other powers and duties, the commission shall have the power to enforce the penal provisions of *chapter 218, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and as it may be amended, and the penal laws of this state relating to the conduct of or participation in gambling activities and the manufacturing, importation, transportation, distribution, possession, and sale of equipment or paraphernalia used or for use in connection therewith. The director, the deputy director, both assistant directors, and each of the commission's investigators, enforcement officers, and inspectors shall have the power, under the supervision of the commission, to enforce the penal provisions of *chapter 218, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and as it may be amended, and the penal laws of this state relating to the conduct of or participation in gambling activities and the manufacturing, importation, transportation, distribution, possession, and sale of equipment or paraphernalia used or for use in connection therewith. They shall have the power and authority to apply for and execute all warrants and serve process of law issued by the courts in enforcing the penal provisions of *chapter 218, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and as it may be amended, and the penal laws of this state relating to the conduct of or participation in gambling activities and the manufacturing, importation, transportation, distribution, possession, and sale of equipment or paraphernalia used or for use in connection therewith. They shall have the power to arrest without a warrant, any person or persons found in the act of violating any of the penal provisions of *chapter 218, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and as it may be amended, and the penal laws of this state relating to the conduct of or participation in gambling activities and the manufacturing, importation, transportation, distribution, possession, and sale of equipment or paraphernalia used or for use in connection therewith. To the extent set forth above, the commission shall be a law enforcement agency of this state with the power to investigate for violations of and to enforce the provisions of this chapter, as now law or hereafter amended, and to obtain information from and provide information to all other law enforcement agencies.

(4) Criminal history record information that includes nonconviction data, as defined in RCW 10.97.030, may be disseminated by a criminal justice agency to the Washington state gambling commission for any purpose associated with the investigation for suitability for involvement in gambling activities authorized under this chapter. The Washington state gambling commission shall only disseminate nonconviction data obtained under this section to criminal justice agencies.

RCW 9.46.221
Professional gambling in the second degree.

(1) A person is guilty of professional gambling in the second degree if he or she engages in or knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to engage in professional gambling as defined in this chapter, and:

(a) Acts in concert with or conspires with less than five people; or

(b) Accepts wagers exceeding two thousand dollars during any thirty-day period on future contingent events; or

(c) The operation for whom the person works, or with which the person is involved, accepts wagers exceeding two thousand dollars during any thirty-day period on future contingent events; or

(d) Maintains a "gambling premises" as defined in this chapter; or

(e) Maintains gambling records as defined in RCW 9.46.0253.

(2) However, this section shall not apply to those activities enumerated in RCW 9.46.0305 through 9.46.0361 or to any act or acts in furtherance of such activities when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(3) Professional gambling in the second degree is a class C felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021.

RCW 9.46.222
Professional gambling in the third degree.

(1) A person is guilty of professional gambling in the third degree if he or she engages in, or knowingly causes, aids, abets, or conspires with another to engage in professional gambling as defined in this chapter, and:

(a) His or her conduct does not constitute first or second degree professional gambling;

(b) He or she operates any of the unlicensed gambling activities authorized by this chapter in a manner other than as prescribed by this chapter; or

(c) He or she is directly employed in but not managing or directing any gambling operation.

(2) This section shall not apply to those activities enumerated in RCW 9.46.0305 through 9.46.0361 or to any acts in furtherance of such activities when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(3) Professional gambling in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor subject to the penalty established in RCW9A.20.021.

9.46.225 Professional gambling -- Penalties not applicable to authorized activities.

The penalties provided for professional gambling in this chapter shall not apply to the activities authorized by this chapter when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the commission.

9.46.231 Gambling devices, real and personal property -- Seizure and forfeiture.

(1) The following are subject to seizure and forfeiture and no property right exists in them:

(a) All gambling devices as defined in this chapter;

(b) All furnishings, fixtures, equipment, and stock, including without limitation furnishings and fixtures adaptable to nongambling uses and equipment and stock for printing, recording, computing, transporting, or safekeeping, used in connection with professional gambling or maintaining a gambling premises;

(c) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels, that are used, or intended for use, in any manner to facilitate the sale, delivery, receipt, or operation of any gambling device, or the promotion or operation of a professional gambling activity, except that:

(i) A conveyance used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier is not subject to forfeiture under this section unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this chapter;

(ii) A conveyance is not subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission established by the owner thereof to have been committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent;

(iii) A forfeiture of a conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission; and

(iv) If the owner of a conveyance has been arrested under this chapter the conveyance in which the person is arrested may not be subject to forfeiture unless it is seized or process is issued for its seizure within ten days of the owner's arrest;

(d) All books, records, and research products and materials, including formulas, microfilm, tapes, and electronic data that are used, or intended for use, in violation of this chapter;

(e) All moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, or other tangible or intangible property of value at stake or displayed in or in connection with professional gambling activity or furnished or intended to be furnished by any person to facilitate the promotion or operation of a professional gambling activity;

(f) All tangible or intangible personal property, proceeds, or assets acquired in whole or in part with proceeds traceable to professional gambling activity and all moneys, negotiable instruments, and securities used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this chapter. A forfeiture of money, negotiable instruments, securities, or other tangible or intangible property encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if, at the time the security interest was created, the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission. Personal property may not be forfeited under this subsection (1)(f), to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission that that owner establishes was committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent; and

(g) All real property, including any right, title, and interest in the whole of any lot or tract of land, and any appurtenances or improvements that:

(i) Have been used with the knowledge of the owner for the manufacturing, processing, delivery, importing, or exporting of any illegal gambling equipment, or operation of a professional gambling activity that would constitute a felony violation of this chapter; or

(ii) Have been acquired in whole or in part with proceeds traceable to a professional gambling activity, if the activity is not less than a class C felony.

Real property forfeited under this chapter that is encumbered by a bona fide security interest remains subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party, at the time the security interest was created, neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission. Property may not be forfeited under this subsection, to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent.

(2)(a) A law enforcement officer of this state may seize real or personal property subject to forfeiture under this chapter upon process issued by any superior court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure of real property includes the filing of a lis pendens by the seizing agency. Real property seized under this section may not be transferred or otherwise conveyed until ninety days after seizure or until a judgment of forfeiture is entered, whichever is later, but real property seized under this section may be transferred or conveyed to any person or entity who acquires title by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure of a bona fide security interest.

(b) Seizure of personal property without process may be made if:

(i) The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant;

(ii) The property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this chapter;

(iii) A law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety; or

(iv) The law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this chapter.

(3) In the event of seizure under subsection (2) of this section, proceedings for forfeiture are deemed commenced by the seizure. The law enforcement agency under whose authority the seizure was made shall cause notice to be served within fifteen days following the seizure on the owner of the property seized and the person in charge thereof and any person having any known right or interest therein, including any community property interest, of the seizure and intended forfeiture of the seized property. Service of notice of seizure of real property must be made according to the rules of civil procedure. However, the state may not obtain a default judgment with respect to real property against a party who is served by substituted service absent an affidavit stating that a good faith effort has been made to ascertain if the defaulted party is incarcerated within the state, and that there is no present basis to believe that the party is incarcerated within the state. Notice of seizure in the case of property subject to a security interest that has been perfected by filing a financing statement in accordance with chapter 62A.9A RCW, or a certificate of title, must be made by service upon the secured party or the secured party's assignee at the address shown on the financing statement or the certificate of title. The notice of seizure in other cases may be served by any method authorized by law or court rule including but not limited to service by certified mail with return receipt requested. Service by mail is deemed complete upon mailing within the fifteen-day period following the seizure.

(4) If no person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of items specified in subsection (1) of this section within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the item seized is deemed forfeited. The community property interest in real property of a person whose spouse or domestic partner committed a violation giving rise to seizure of the real property may not be forfeited if the person did not participate in the violation.

(5) If any person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of items specified in subsection (1) of this section within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the person or persons must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or right. The hearing must be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or the chief law enforcement officer's designee, except if the seizing agency is a state agency as defined in RCW 34.12.020(4), the hearing must be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or an administrative law judge appointed under chapter 34.12 RCW, except that any person asserting a claim or right may remove the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction. Removal of any matter involving personal property may only be accomplished according to the rules of civil procedure. The person seeking removal of the matter must serve process against the state, county, political subdivision, or municipality that operates the seizing agency, and any other party of interest, in accordance with RCW 4.28.080 or 4.92.020, within forty-five days after the person seeking removal has notified the seizing law enforcement agency of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession. The court to which the matter is to be removed must be the district court if the aggregate value of personal property is within the jurisdictional limit set forth in RCW 3.66.020. A hearing before the seizing agency and any appeal therefrom must be under Title 34 RCW. In a court hearing between two or more claimants to the article or articles involved, the prevailing party is entitled to a judgment for costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. In cases involving personal property, the burden of producing evidence is upon the person claiming to be the lawful owner or the person claiming to have the lawful right to possession of the property. In cases involving property seized under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the only issues to be determined by the tribunal are whether the item seized is a gambling device, and whether the device is an antique device as defined by RCW 9.46.235. In cases involving real property, the burden of producing evidence is upon the law enforcement agency. The burden of proof that the seized real property is subject to forfeiture is upon the law enforcement agency. The seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly return the article or articles to the claimant upon a final determination by the administrative law judge or court that the claimant is the present lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession thereof of items specified in subsection (1) of this section.

(6) If property is forfeited under this chapter the seizing law enforcement agency may:

(a) Retain it for official use or upon application by any law enforcement agency of this state release the property to the agency for training or use in enforcing this chapter;

(b) Sell that which is not required to be destroyed by law and which is not harmful to the public; or

(c) Destroy any articles that may not be lawfully possessed within the state of Washington, or that have a fair market value of less than one hundred dollars.

(7)(a) If property is forfeited, the seizing agency shall keep a record indicating the identity of the prior owner, if known, a description of the property, the disposition of the property, the value of the property at the time of seizure, and the amount of proceeds realized from disposition of the property. The net proceeds of forfeited property is the value of the forfeitable interest in the property after deducting the cost of satisfying any bona fide security interest to which the property is subject at the time of seizure, and in the case of sold property, after deducting the cost of sale, including reasonable fees or commissions paid to independent selling agents.

(b) Each seizing agency shall retain records of forfeited property for at least seven years.

(8) The seizing law enforcement agency shall retain forfeited property and net proceeds exclusively for the expansion and improvement of gambling-related law enforcement activity. Money retained under this section may not be used to supplant preexisting funding sources.

(9) Gambling devices that are possessed, transferred, sold, or offered for sale in violation of this chapter are contraband and must be seized and summarily forfeited to the state. Gambling equipment that is seized or comes into the possession of a law enforcement agency, the owners of which are unknown, are contraband and must be summarily forfeited to the state.

(10) Upon the entry of an order of forfeiture of real property, the court shall forward a copy of the order to the assessor of the county in which the property is located. The superior court shall enter orders for the forfeiture of real property, subject to court rules. The seizing agency shall file such an order in the county auditor's records in the county in which the real property is located.

(11)(a) A landlord may assert a claim against proceeds from the sale of assets seized and forfeited under subsection (6)(b) of this section, only if:

(i) A law enforcement officer, while acting in his or her official capacity, directly caused damage to the complaining landlord's property while executing a search of a tenant's residence; and

(ii) The landlord has applied any funds remaining in the tenant's deposit, to which the landlord has a right under chapter 59.18 RCW, to cover the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer before asserting a claim under this section.

(A) Only if the funds applied under (a)(ii) of this subsection are insufficient to satisfy the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer, may the landlord seek compensation for the damage by filing a claim against the governmental entity under whose authority the law enforcement agency operates within thirty days after the search; and

(B) Only if the governmental entity denies or fails to respond to the landlord's claim within sixty days of the date of filing, may the landlord collect damages under this subsection by filing within thirty days of denial or the expiration of the sixty-day period, whichever occurs first, a claim with the seizing law enforcement agency. The seizing law enforcement agency shall notify the landlord of the status of the claim by the end of the thirty-day period. This section does not require the claim to be paid by the end of the sixty-day or thirty-day period.

(b) For any claim filed under (a)(ii) of this subsection, the law enforcement agency shall pay the claim unless the agency provides substantial proof that the landlord either:

(i) Knew or consented to actions of the tenant in violation of this chapter; or

(ii) Failed to respond to a notification of the illegal activity, provided by a law enforcement agency within seven days of receipt of notification of the illegal activity.

(12) The landlord's claim for damages under subsection (11) of this section may not include a claim for loss of business and is limited to:

(a) Damage to tangible property and clean-up costs;

(b) The lesser of the cost of repair or fair market value of the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer;

(c) The proceeds from the sale of the specific tenant's property seized and forfeited under subsection (6)(b) of this section; and

(d) The proceeds available after the seizing law enforcement agency satisfies any bona fide security interest in the tenant's property and costs related to sale of the tenant's property as provided by subsection (7)(a) of this section.

(13) Subsections (11) and (12) of this section do not limit any other rights a landlord may have against a tenant to collect for damages. However, if a law enforcement agency satisfies a landlord's claim under subsection (11) of this section, the rights the landlord has against the tenant for damages directly caused by a law enforcement officer under the terms of the landlord and tenant's contract are subrogated to the law enforcement agency.

(14) Liability is not imposed by this section upon any authorized state, county, or municipal officer, including a commission special agent, in the lawful performance of his or her duties.
[2008 c 6 ß 629; 1997 c 128 ß 1; 1994 c 218 ß 7.] RCW 9.46.36001 Tribal actions - Federal jurisdiction.
The state consents to the jurisdiction of the federal courts in actions brought by a tribe pursuant to the Indian gaming regulatory act of 1988 or seeking enforcement of a state/tribal compact adopted under the Indian gaming regulatory act, conditioned upon the tribe entering into such a compact and providing similar consent. This limited waiver of sovereign immunity shall not extend to actions other than those expressly set forth herein.

9.46.235 Slot machines, antique -- Defenses concerning -- Presumption created.

(1) For purposes of a prosecution under RCW 9.46.215 or a seizure, confiscation, or destruction order under RCW 9.46.231, it shall be a defense that the gambling device involved is an antique slot machine and that the antique slot machine was not operated for gambling purposes while in the owner's or defendant's possession. Operation of an antique slot machine shall be only by free play or with coins provided at no cost by the owner. No slot machine, having been seized under this chapter, may be altered, destroyed, or disposed of without affording the owner thereof an opportunity to present a defense under this section. If the defense is applicable, the antique slot machine shall be returned to the owner or defendant, as the court may direct.

(2) RCW 9.46.231 shall have no application to any antique slot machine that has not been operated for gambling purposes while in the owner's possession.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a slot machine shall be conclusively presumed to be an antique slot machine if it is at least twenty-five years old.

(4) RCW 9.46.231 and 9.46.215 do not apply to gambling devices on board a passenger cruise ship which has been registered and bonded with the federal maritime commission, if the gambling devices are not operated for gambling purposes within the state.

RCW 9.46.240
Gambling information, transmitting or receiving.

Whoever knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the internet, a telecommunications transmission system, or similar means, or knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information shall be guilty of a class C felony subject to the penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021. However, this section shall not apply to such information transmitted or received or equipment installed or maintained relating to activities authorized by this chapter or to any act or acts in furtherance thereof when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted under this chapter.

Notes: State policy -- 2006 c 290: "It is the policy of this state to prohibit all forms and means of gambling, except where carefully and specifically authorized and regulated. With the advent of the internet and other technologies and means of communication that were not contemplated when either the gambling act was enacted in 1973, or the lottery commission was created in 1982, it is appropriate for this legislature to reaffirm the policy prohibiting gambling that exploits such new technologies." [2006 c 290 § 1.]

9.46.250 Gambling property or premises -- Common nuisances, abatement -- Termination of interests, licenses -- Enforcement.

(1) All gambling premises are common nuisances and shall be subject to abatement by injunction or as otherwise provided by law. The plaintiff in any action brought under this subsection against any gambling premises, need not show special injury and may, in the discretion of the court, be relieved of all requirements as to giving security.

(2) When any property or premise held under a mortgage, contract or leasehold is determined by a court having jurisdiction to be a gambling premises, all rights and interests of the holder therein shall terminate and the owner shall be entitled to immediate possession at his election: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That this subsection shall not apply to those premises in which activities authorized by this chapter or any act or acts in furtherance thereof are carried on when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(3) When any property or premises for which one or more licenses issued by the commission are in effect, is determined by a court having jurisdiction to be a gambling premise, all such licenses may be voided and no longer in effect, and no license so voided shall be issued or reissued for such property or premises for a period of up to sixty days thereafter. Enforcement of this subsection shall be the duty of all peace officers and all taxing and licensing officials of this state and its political subdivisions and other public agencies. This subsection shall not apply to property or premises in which activities authorized by this chapter, or any act or acts in furtherance thereof, are carried on when conducted in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

9.46.291 State lottery exemption.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the conducting, operating, participating, or selling or purchasing of tickets or shares in the "lottery" or "state lottery" as defined in RCW 67.70.010 when such conducting, operating, participating, or selling or purchasing is in conformity to the provisions of chapter 67.70 RCW and to the rules adopted thereunder.

9.46.293 Fishing derbies exempted.

Any fishing derby, defined under RCW 9.46.0229, shall not be subject to any other provisions of this chapter or to any rules or regulations of the commission.

9.46.360 Indian tribes -- Compact negotiation process.

(1) The negotiation process for compacts with federally recognized Indian tribes for conducting class III gaming, as defined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2701 et seq., on federal Indian lands is governed by this section.

(2) The gambling commission through the director or the director's designee shall negotiate compacts for class III gaming on behalf of the state with federally recognized Indian tribes in the state of Washington.

(3) When a tentative agreement with an Indian tribe on a proposed compact is reached, the director shall immediately transmit a copy of the proposed compact to all voting and ex officio members of the gambling commission and to the standing committees designated pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.

(4) Notwithstanding RCW 9.46.040, the four ex officio members of the gambling commission shall be deemed voting members of the gambling commission for the sole purpose of voting on proposed compacts submitted under this section.

(5) Within thirty days after receiving a proposed compact from the director, one standing committee from each house of the legislature shall hold a public hearing on the proposed compact and forward its respective comments to the gambling commission. The president of the senate shall designate the senate standing committee that is to carry out the duties of this section, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall designate the house standing committee that is to carry out the duties of this section. The designated committees shall continue to perform under this section until the president of the senate or the speaker of the house of representatives, as the case may be, designates a different standing committee.

(6) The gambling commission may hold public hearings on the proposed compact any time after receiving a copy of the compact from the director. Within forty-five days after receiving the proposed compact from the director, the gambling commission, including the four ex officio members, shall vote on whether to return the proposed compact to the director with instructions for further negotiation or to forward the proposed compact to the governor for review and final execution.

(7) Notwithstanding provisions in this section to the contrary, if the director forwards a proposed compact to the gambling commission and the designated standing committees within ten days before the beginning of a regular session of the legislature, or during a regular or special session of the legislature, the thirty-day time limit set forth in subsection (5) of this section and the forty-five day limit set forth in subsection (6) of this section are each forty-five days and sixty days, respectively.

(8) Funding for the negotiation process under this section must come from the gambling revolving fund.

(9) In addition to the powers granted under this chapter, the commission, consistent with the terms of any compact, is authorized and empowered to enforce the provisions of any compact between a federally recognized Indian tribe and the state of Washington.

9.46.36001 Tribal actions -- Federal jurisdiction.

The state consents to the jurisdiction of the federal courts in actions brought by a tribe pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 or seeking enforcement of a state/tribal compact adopted under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, conditioned upon the tribe entering into such a compact and providing similar consent. This limited waiver of sovereign immunity shall not extend to actions other than those expressly set forth herein.

RCW 9A.20.021

Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after.

    [ CHANGE IN 2003 *** (SEE 5758.SL)]

(1) Felony. No person convicted of a classified felony shall be punished by confinement or fine exceeding the following:

(a) For a class A felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of life imprisonment, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of fifty thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine;

(b) For a class B felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of ten years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of twenty thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine;

(c) For a class C felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for five years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of ten thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine.

(2) Gross misdemeanor. Every person convicted of a gross misdemeanor defined in Title 9A RCW shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of not more than one year, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than five thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.

(3) Misdemeanor. Every person convicted of a misdemeanor defined in Title 9A RCW shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of not more than ninety days, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.

(4) This section applies to only those crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984.