Washington and New Nebraska to allow sports gambling

The states of Washington and New Nebraska seem, finally, to be ready to join other states across USA and allow sports gambling! Two bills HB 2478 and SB 6277 will make it lawful for online and land-based betting to be made available at casinos, racetracks, and licensed card rooms within the state of Washington.

In New Nebraska this could happen through the new Games of Skill Act (LB990) filed by State Senator Justin Wayne, which will make it legal for people to wager on sports, fantasy sports, and poker. If the bill is passes, Nebraska will become the seventh state to legalize online poker, joining such states as Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Nebraska does not allow for gambling currently. Also Nebraska is one of 25 states in the union that do not have a commercial casino.

Last year Washington lawmakers were considering three different betting bills, but none of them made it to the governors’ desk. Different bill will be applied to the House and the Senate. The House will have to examine the bill that not only allows for online and land-based wagers but also includes a tax on all gaming revenue.

According to the proposed by Representative Brandon Vick bill, all operators would pay a $500,000 application fee which would be used to assist those going to college and in the K-12 programs throughout the state.

Representative Vick in a statement said: “I want the full discussion to take place. And for political reasons, if we have to narrow down, that’s great. That’s how politics works, right? But how can you move a bill that is big, a bill that is going to have a lot of people pro and con, and avoid as many objections as possible at the beginning?”

IF one of the two bills pass, it would take little time to implement. Washington already has 30 tribal casinos and one racetrack already operating within the state. To be approved, a two-thirds supermajority must vote in favor of the gambling expansion proposal.