Archive for August 29th, 2009
The Washington Casinos
Many Washington casinos operated by local Native American tribes are conveniently located near highways or Washington cities. Twenty-seven Washington casinos are operated in Native American lands. All of Washington’s casinos offer slot machines, roulette, blackjack, craps, and video poker. Other table games, including baccarat, poker in various forms, off-track betting, keno, and bingo are available at some casinos. The gambling age varies by casino, with some allowing gambling at eighteen, and others not until twenty-one years of age. A number of other casinos operate in Washington, as well, including card rooms, or so-called mini-casinos. There are several horse tracks in Washington, and betting is available at all of them.
Twenty-four of Washington’s twenty-seven tribal casinos also offer an electronic form of scratch off lottery tickets. These gaming machines have a five-dollar limit and operate using cards purchased at the casino, as opposed to cash. The minimum payout on these machines is legally 75%, set by the state. Washington casinos are not legally obligated to report payouts on slot machines.
Washington casinos range from small freestanding operations to large resorts with hotels, restaurants, spas, and entertainment. Some of the Washington casinos with resorts would make a fine home base for a longer visit, allowing you to experience the natural beauty of Washington and make day trips into large urban areas for sightseeing. Las Vegas style shows and entertainment are available at some Washington casinos.
Washington’s gambling laws allow for a fair amount of leeway with regard to legal gambling in Washington casinos, as well as allowing for charitable gaming. Online gaming, however, is illegal in Washington and is a class C felony. Online horse betting is allowed in some circumstances. Free or play money online gaming remains legal. Washington casinos did not speak out on the new laws, even though they clearly stand to benefit from them.
Washington casinos can be a fun diversion or day trip for Washington residents, a great way to have a night on the town, or an interesting stop on a Washington vacation. Why, one of the several Washington casino resorts could even be a vacation in itself. Washington’s gambling laws allow for fun, legal, gambling throughout the state in any of the many fine Washington casinos, so you’re sure to find one you will enjoy, whether you prefer the nickel slots or high-stakes poker.
