Washington Gaming Regulation
The Washington Gaming Commission oversees all authorized gaming in the state. The commission is made up of nine members. Five are appointed by the Governor to six year terms. These appointees are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. There are also four ex-officio members, two each from the Senate and the House. The commission is an autonomous agency.
Washington, like California, has cardrooms. The significant difference is that cardrooms can only be ancillary businesses designed to support a main business of a restaurant, bar or tavern. The profitability is also strictly limited by statutory limitation on the charges. Until recently the club could only charge $3 per half hour per seat. A recent change in law allowed this to be raised.
The Gaming Commission also has responsibility for other gambling. These include sports pools, charitable gaming, amusement games and pull-tabs. There are a large number of tribal casinos within the state that are under the oversight of the commission.
The state does not tax the card clubs. However they can be taxed by localities.
The Washington Gaming Commission is large by California standards. They have about 135 staff people. They have an ongoing and open process of negotiating compacts with the Indian tribes.
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