Online gambling ban may be repealed by Washington State

The online gambling bill which was passed in the state of Washington may be changed. The bill 1243 stated that it's a felony to gamble online from your home even if it's just recreationally intended.

Rep. Chris Strow and five other representatives introduced the bill in January. Straw said that he wants to change the bill, more specifically the part which says that the recreational gambling is a Class C Felony.

The Washington House and Senate approved the bill, after it had its first reading in Jan. 15. On April 3 a vote of 75-2 made it pass the Senate and in April 17 a 62-36 vote made it pass the House.

The bill which was passed last year made it a felony to gamble online whether the offence was in an online casino, a sportsbook or a poker room.

Bill 1243 will allow online gambling if it's recreationally intended. The condition is to show that you have downloaded the game from your home strictly for your own enjoyment.

The online gambling operators or gambling information portals will be still considered illegal in the new bill because they promote gambling. Strow said that an adult can make rational judgments when it comes to gambling, but with the bill he intends to protect people from any online gambling scams.

He also said that gambling online can not be compared to a major crime such as child pornography or threatening a person, in justifying his decision to change the bill.