Washington Horse Racing Betting Sites

The Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC) regulates online horse racing to ensure licensed operators comply with all state laws and consumer protection regulations.

Horse racing betting sites must apply for licenses from the WHRC before offering their services in Washington State. The licensing process involves providing business plans, financial statements, customer identity verification procedures, and much more to the WHRC for approval.

In short, Washington horse racing betting sites operate in a highly regulated environment. Therefore, BettingUSA strongly encourages readers to bet on horse races with licensed operators exclusively. Readers can visit the WHRC website for a list of licensed operators or see the following table:

^{Note: Some of the above operators do not appear on the WHRC’s list of licensees but are still available in Washington because they use licensed providers’ technology platforms. For example, DK Horse doesn’t appear on the WHRC website but is available in Washington because it uses TwinSpires software.}

Washington Horse Racetracks

Only one racetrack remains operational in Washington since Sun Downs closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and never reopened. That leaves Emerald Downs as the only race track authorized by the WHRC to host live races, offer pari-mutuel wagering, and operate satellite facilities.

Sun Downs officials intended to resume live racing in 2021 but canceled that season as well to offer the grounds as a COVID vaccination center. Then, Sun Downs scrapped its 2022 racing season after the facility failed to renew its liability insurance in time to host that year’s meet. Further insurance issues resulted in Sun Downs failing to renew its liability insurance contract in 2023, leading to the track’s permanent closure.

Emerald Downs

2300 Ron Crockett Drive
Auburn, Washington 98001

Emerald Downs hosts live thoroughbred races every May through September. Each season begins with races on Saturdays and Sundays in May and extends to include Fridays from June onward, with the occasional Monday afternoon race.

General admission is $5 on Friday nights and $10 on weekends for adults. Youth admission is $5, and children under five are free.

On live racing days, Emerald Downs offers multiple concessions and drink options on the track level, third floor, and fifth floor. In addition, the fifth floor offers daily simulcast wagering with free admission and parking.

Washington Off-Track Betting Locations

Eleven OTBs operate in Washington, where state law permits a maximum of one off-track wagering location per county. Washington OTBs must be located at least twenty miles from any licensed Class 1 racing facility (Emerald Downs).

All Washington OTB locations operate from within casinos, cardrooms, or bars and taverns.

• 7 Cedars Resort and Casino – 270756 Hwy 101, Sequim
  Available casino gaming options include sports betting, simulcast wagering, poker, bingo, slot machines, and live table games, including craps and roulette. Players must be at least 21 years of age. The property has multiple restaurants, a golf course, and a 100-room hotel. 
• A & C Tavern – 3249 Perry Avenue, Bremerton
  The bar has a full-service restaurant menu.
• Angel of the Winds Casino – 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane, Arlington
  Off-track bets may be placed at self-serve kiosks inside the casino sportsbook. Casino gaming options include live table games, slots, and live keno. The property also has a hotel, bowling alley, virtual sports, and multiple dining options. Gaming is limited to guests 18 years of age and older.
• Bub’s Pub Sports Bar & Grill – 1326 Harrison Avenue, Centralia
  A full-service sports bar and restaurant.
• Casino Caribbean Kirkland – 12526 NE 144th Street, Kirkland
  This card room has live poker and table games. Players must be at least 18 years of age. A sports bar with a full-service menu is available.
• Casino Caribbean Yakima  – 1901 Boggess Lane, Yakima
  The card room offers poker, table games, and a sports bar restaurant. Bettors must be at least 18 years of age.
• Fortune Casino Lacey – 8318 Quinault Drive, Lacey
  Formerly known as Hawks Prairie Casino, this card room deals live poker and table games. The restaurant serves breakfast through late-night meals.
• Northern Quest Casino – 100 North Hayford Road, Airway Heights
  Simulcast wagering is available inside the sportsbook. The casino also features table games, including craps, roulette, slots, and poker. Casino games are limited to guests 21 years of age and older. The resort has multiple restaurants, a 67-site RV park, a 250-room hotel, a spa, and family-friendly activities. 
• Silver Star Saloon – 6718 NE Fourth Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
  The restaurant has pool tables, darts, karaoke, and a dance floor.
• Sports Page – 6 South Cascade, Kennewick
  Minors are allowed to dine at this sports bar restaurant until 9 pm. After 9 pm, guests must be at least 21 years of age.
• Hollywood Cardroom – 16716 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline
  Hollywood Cardroom is open 24/7 and offers off-track betting, a busy poker room, and a restaurant/bar.

Major Washington Horse Races

No graded-stakes races are run in the state of Washington. Previously, a Grade 3 event, the Longacres Mile, was downgraded in 2022.

• Emerald Distaff: $75,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held in August at Emerald Downs
• Gottstein Futurity: $70,000 purse, open to 2yo thoroughbreds, held in September at Emerald Downs
• Longacres Mile Stakes: $150,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in August at Emerald Downs
• Muckleshoot Derby: $75,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in August at Emerald Downs
• Washington Oaks: $75,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in August at Emerald Downs

Washington Horse Racing Betting Laws

Washington State legalized pari-mutuel horse racing wagering and established the Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC) in 1933. Additional laws legalized simulcast wagering in 1981, off-track betting facilities (OTBs) in 2004, and advance deposit wagering in 2004.

As Washington horse racing law states, the WHRC exists to “promote integrity in racing and to encourage the breeding and ownership of horses in the state.”

WAC 260-08-005 directs the WHRC to license, regulate, and supervise the following horse racing betting activities in Washington:

• Horse racing meets where pari-mutuel wagering occurs
• Satellite locations and simulcasting
• Advance deposit wagering operators (horse racing betting sites)

The primary laws governing horse racing and pari-mutuel horse racing betting in Washington include the following:

• Washington Administrative Code Title 260
• Revised Code of Washington Chapter 67.16

Washington Online Horse Betting Regulations

Washington law requires advance deposit wagering operators (ADWs) to apply for licenses from the WHRC before offering their services in Washington.

Per state law, all Washington horse racing betting sites must submit $5,000 application fees and pay $1,000 annual renewal fees.

Additionally, licensed online horse betting apps operating in Washington must comply with all regulations outlined in the following state codes to promote consumer protection, encourage responsible gambling, and generate revenue for the state:

• Washington Administrative Code Chapter 260-49
• Revised Code of Washington Chapter 67.16.260

Minimum Age and Identity Verification Rules

Licensed Washington horse racing betting apps and websites may only accept customers 21 or older and must verify every user’s identity. Additionally, operators must collect the following information from all customers upon registration:

• Full legal name
• Principal residential address
• Phone number
• Age
• A picture of a photo ID or certification demonstrating the customer is at least 21

To verify customers’ identities, licensed horse racing betting sites in Washington also collect the last four digits of their Social Security numbers and cross-reference all provided information against public databases.

Washington Horse Racing Betting Deposits

State law authorizes licensed Washington horse racing betting apps and websites to accept the following horse racing betting deposit methods:

• Cash in-person at locations specified by the operator
• Check or money order
• Credit card or debit card
• Electronic funds transfers

In addition, licensed horse racing betting apps in Washington may not extend credit to customers or allow them to place wagers that would put their account balances negative.

Washington Horse Racing Betting FAQ