State of Washington to Review Restrictive Laws on Gambling

This week the Washington State Gambling Commission has announced that they are preparing to take a look at its restrictive gambling laws and possibly soften its stance on the activity, using the group Spectrum Gaming to conduct a market study for the industry.

Washington is notoriously rough on gambling, standing as one of the few states that has gone through the act of actually outlawing internet gambling and making other gambling locations restricted in what they can offer. The study is expected to be delivered in the fall of this year, and will reveal the economic impact that regulated gaming could have in the state. It is thought that the study will reveal that Native American tribes and state tax coffers would benefit most from legalising the activity.

Commenting on the study Washington Gaming Commission Chair Chris Stearns said, "The results of this study will be a powerful economic tool for the state and tribes that will allow us to build on our success and help the state, businesses, tribes and citizens guide economic growth with investment and with our values."

"The study will measure the effects of commercial, non-profit and tribal gambling by focusing on employment, fantasy sports, gambling facilities and trends, Internet gambling, new gambling games such as mobile games, population trends, revenues, the effect of technology and the effect of gambling on tourism."