WASHINGTON STATE — The state Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that could bring legal betting on college sports to Washington.
Senate Bill 6137, which allows betting on games featuring local colleges but not individual athletes, is now headed to the House.
Adrian Cortes, representing the 18th District in Battle Ground, sponsored the bill. He explained the motivation behind the legislation.
“Currently, Washingtonians are placing bets on school like these, but they are doing it through illicit or gray market avenues,” Cortes said. “Tribal gaming has some of the strongest regulatory standards in the country, with three levels of regulations, which includes tribal, state and federal.”
The bill passed with a 41-8 vote. However, it faced opposition during committee hearings. Chris Mullick, the Senior Director of State Relations at Washington State University, was among those who testified against it.
“This is NOT a mere shift of gambling from the black market to the regulated market,” Mullick said. “This a dramatic expansion that opens a massive new market to wagers on WSU games. All of the benefits will redound to others. All the consequences will lie with us.”
The bill will take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns, meaning fans will not be able to bet on this year’s NCAA tournament.
