Sweepstakes casinos in Washington

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Washington?

Not in any licensed sense. Washington hasn't passed a law written specifically about sweepstakes casinos; instead, third-party sweepstakes trackers report that these sites are restricted under the state's existing online gambling statute, RCW 9.46.240 (opens in a new tab). That statute makes knowingly transmitting or receiving gambling information over the internet a class C felony.

The Washington State Gambling Commission's online gambling FAQ (opens in a new tab) adds the regulator's view that state law prohibits any online gambling. Whether a given sweepstakes game counts as gambling turns on the usual elements of prize, chance and consideration, and the WSGC hasn't published a sweepstakes ruling we could find. What's clear is how operators read the situation: most simply refuse Washington addresses.

For the statute in full context, see our Washington gambling laws page, and for the state overview, the Washington online casinos hub.

How dual-currency sweepstakes casinos work

Sweepstakes casinos run two currencies. Gold Coins are for entertainment play and can't be cashed out. Sweeps Coins are usually given away with Gold Coin purchases or through free entry routes, and they can be redeemed for cash prizes once played through. That redeemable second currency is what new state laws target.

New York's law, described in the state Senate's release on S5935-A (opens in a new tab), goes after online casino-style games using two currencies where players can win cash or cash equivalents. It leaves alone sweepstakes games with no cash-redeemable rewards. Our Sweeps Coins explainer and sweepstakes vs real money guide go deeper.

Sweepstakes casinos describe themselves as free-to-play promotions. Because Sweeps Coins can be turned into cash, several states now treat them as gambling, and they aren't real money casinos licensed by any state.

Which sweepstakes casinos exclude Washington?

Most of the big names list Washington in their excluded states. The table separates operators' own published rules (primary) from lists compiled by review sites (third-party), with the date the rules carried where one is shown. Rules change often, so the brand's current terms are what count.

Where the sweepstakes exclusion lists disagree

Exclusion lists are messy, and it helps to know where. In several cases the brand's own pages don't match each other, though Washington appears on every version we have.

• McLuck: its Terms of Service v2.6 and an undated help page give different state lists, but both include Washington.
• RealPrize: a play page lists 15 states and its Terms of Use v2.5 (July 28, 2026) list seven; Washington is on both.
• Chumba: the Sweeps Rules on file date from August 28, 2025 and are likely out of date. A review site's October 27, 2026 list of 19 restricted states still includes Washington.
• WOW Vegas: places Washington with Idaho and Nevada in a stricter group where players can't register, rather than only losing Sweeps Coin play.
• Fortune Coins: the only available source names just New York, Michigan, Idaho and Nevada while saying the site runs in 45 states, so its Washington status isn't confirmed.

One sweepstakes review site also lists Washington among states that "have banned sweepstakes casinos." That claim comes from an affiliate site and hasn't been checked against statute; the more careful description is that Washington restricts them under its general online gambling law.

Washington vs states with new sweepstakes casino bans

Since 2025, a run of states has passed laws aimed squarely at dual-currency sweepstakes casinos. Washington's position differs: it had a broad online gambling felony on the books already, so no new statute was needed for operators to stay out.

Louisiana's first attempt in 2025 was vetoed before Act 182 passed. Our sweepstakes casino bans tracker and which states ban sweepstakes casinos? keep the national picture together.

Social casinos and free-play apps in Washington

A social casino with no way to redeem coins for cash is a different product from a sweepstakes casino. New York's law, for instance, expressly leaves out sweepstakes games without cash-redeemable rewards. Washington hasn't published equivalent guidance that we could find, so we can't tell you exactly where the WSGC draws the line.

If an app only sells play coins with no prizes, it isn't paying out money. Spending can still add up, though, so set a budget the same way you would for any paid entertainment. The social casinos guide explains how these apps differ.

What to do if you hold a sweepstakes account in Washington

Some readers opened an account before an operator added Washington to its list, or while traveling. Brands generally apply rules by where you are when you play, so the safest course is to follow the operator's current terms and stop.

1. Read the brand's current sweepstakes rules and terms, not an old screenshot or review.
2. Contact the brand's support in writing and ask how it handles accounts registered to a Washington address.
3. Never give a false location or use location-masking tools; brands can void prizes and close accounts when they find them.
4. Keep records of purchases and any redeemed prizes for your taxes.
5. Close the account if you no longer want it, and remove saved payment details.

Taxes on sweepstakes prizes

Cash prizes from sweepstakes are taxable federal income. The IRS instructions for Form W-2G (opens in a new tab) set the 2026 reporting threshold for sweepstakes at $2,000 where winnings are also at least 300 times the wager, and regular gambling withholding of 24% applies where winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000.

From tax year 2026, the gambling loss deduction is reportedly limited to 90% of losses and only up to your gains; check IRS guidance. Our W-2G form explainer covers the paperwork.

Why we show no sweepstakes or casino offers for Washington

Washington's RCW 9.46.240 makes online gambling a felony, so no page about the state on this site carries offers, codes or sign-up buttons. That applies to sweepstakes brands, which we never promote, and to our offshore partner casinos, which aren't licensed by any US state.

You can still read reviews for background. Third-party reviews report that Decode Casino refuses Washington players, alongside Maryland, New Jersey and New York. Real money options are covered on our Washington real money casinos page, which explains the law rather than promoting sites.

Help with gambling in Washington

Buying coin packages can become a habit, especially on a phone. Washington's State Problem Gambling Program and the Evergreen Council helpline are on 800-547-6133, and the Health Care Authority's problem gambling program (opens in a new tab) lists free treatment for residents.

The national line is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), by call or text, with chat on the NCPG help and treatment page (opens in a new tab). Our signs of a gambling problem page can help you check where you stand.

21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).