Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill Monday that expanded tribal sports betting to allow wagers placed on collegiate events.
Sports betting in Washington currently allows wagers on professional athletics, Olympic events, and esports, but now also extends to collegiate athletics at tribal casinos. Notably, wagers placed on any minor league sport, such as the Tacoma Rainiers, remain prohibited.
The bill also includes legal protections for participants. Anyone who makes a threat against a coach or official involved in an athletic event in Washington could face gross misdemeanor charges.
“During a time when online hate and harassment are on the rise, it’s more important than ever that we protect student athletes by properly regulating sports betting on college sports in our state,” State Sen. Adrian Cortes (D-Battle Ground) said Monday, according to The Seattle Times.
