Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has signed Senate Bill 6137, which allows sports betting on in-state college teams, but not on player props for in-state college athletes. The measure permits these bets exclusively through Washington’s tribal casinos. The bill also has an anti-harassment measure in place to protect athletes. It’s designed to expand wagering options while maintaining safeguards.
By allowing wagers on in-state college teams, Washington can capture activity that may have previously taken place through offshore platforms, bringing it into a legal and monitored environment.
Most bettors like to place wagers on their favorite teams, so making sure that this activity is kept within the state to provide tax revenue rather than unregulated platforms was important.
While SB 6137 expands betting to include in-state college teams, it maintains strict limits on player props on in-state college athletes.
These restrictions are designed to protect student-athletes from potential harassment. Player prop bets incentivize bettors to focus on individual performances, which in some cases has led to athletes being targeted online or blamed for betting outcomes.
At the college level, where athletes are younger and more vulnerable, these risks are considered particularly significant.
By allowing team-based wagering while banning individual player props, Washington is attempting to strike a balance between expanding its regulated betting market while safeguarding their college athletes.
SB 6137 introduces new protections to curb abuse tied to betting activity. The law explicitly prohibits individuals from threatening athletes, coaches, or sports officials in connection with a wager.
The provision makes it a criminal offense to issue threats involving bodily harm, property damage, or any action that creates a credible fear of harm. Violations are classified as gross misdemeanors, carrying legal consequences beyond the betting space. Offenders may also face a statewide ban from participating in sports wagering.
These safeguards are intended to reinforce accountability to deter bettors from harassing athletes. The updated rules are scheduled to take effect on June 11.
Another notable aspect of SB 6137 is that it does not expand sports wagering beyond the state’s existing tribal casino framework. All betting on in-state college teams will remain confined to tribal operators.
This approach reflects a cautious expansion strategy. Rather than opening the market to commercial operators or statewide mobile betting, lawmakers have opted to build on existing partnerships with tribes.
By keeping wagering activity within this limited ecosystem, the state can more closely monitor compliance and enforce responsible gaming measures. It also ensures that any economic benefits tied to the expansion continue to flow through tribal gaming operations.
