There are plans being worked on to establish a regulatory authority to introduce online poker to Washington in the near future. Players can be charged for anything from gross misdemeanors to even Class C Felonies for playing online poker in Washington (neither of which have ever happened or been pursued). State laws explicitly prohibit the act of making a bet over the internet, with stiff penalties, for anyone caught contravening the laws. The state of Washington has some of the toughest laws in the United States pertaining to online gambling and poker websites, but that could easily change in the near future. “Reviewed by Chuck Humphrey – 50 year Gaming Law Practitioner”