Washington state is poised to allow wagering on collegiate sports within its borders after both legislative chambers passed new legislation. SB6137, known as The Sports Wagering Integrity Act enables bets on in-state college teams but maintains strict restrictions to safeguard participants. The bill is now awaiting Gov. Bob Ferguson’s approval.
The law permits betting at tribal casinos, either through in-person retail sportsbooks or via mobile devices, provided the bettor is physically present on the premises. Current regulations already forbid wagers involving the University of Washington, Washington State University (WSU), and Gonzaga, but the new bill would expand legal betting to these schools under regulated conditions.
It also offers federally recognized tribes the option to amend their gaming compacts to allow sports betting on any tribal lands, not just their own, and to host online sports wagering from these locations. Local tribes have existing agreements with operators including BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Restrictions on Player and Game Bets
While the legislation opens the door to legal betting on college teams, it preserves certain prohibitions aimed at protecting athletes. The bill bars prop bets on individual student-athlete performances. Lawmakers cited concerns about student safety and harassment, reflecting testimony from school officials who warned of potential abuse.
The legislation also forbids wagers on in-game coaching choices and officiating decisions. In-game coaching decisions include substitutions, time-out calls, or replay challenges, while officiating decisions cover referee judgments such as fouls, penalties, or player ejections. These restrictions are intended to preserve the integrity of collegiate competitions and prevent improper influence over the outcome of games.
Measures Against Harassment and Threats
The House-approved version of the bill includes measures to curb harassment related to sports wagering. Any individual who knowingly threatens a student-athlete, coach, or official—whether in person or online—could face gross misdemeanor charges. Threats encompass physical harm, damage to property, or conduct that places the person in reasonable fear that the threat will be carried out. Offenders would also be banned from participating in sports wagering at licensed state sportsbooks.
WSU Senior Director of State Relations Chris Mullick highlighted concerns about student accessibility and exposure to bettors, stating, “nothing in this bill but trouble for WSU and our student athletes, who are incredibly accessible, both on campus and online.” These warnings influenced amendments aimed at reinforcing protections for players and staff.
The bill passed the House of Representatives with a 70-26 vote after Senate approval in February. If the Senate endorses the House’s amendments, the measure will proceed to Gov. Ferguson for signing and is expected to take effect 90 days after enactment.
By introducing regulated betting while upholding protections for athletes and officials, Washington’s legislation seeks to legalize college sports wagering without compromising safety or fairness. Tribal casinos will serve as the central venues for this activity, ensuring compliance under existing gaming compacts and established partnerships with major sportsbook operators.
Source:
“Washington collegiate sports gambling bill heads to governor”, khq.com, March 10, 2026
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