| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Commerce & Labor Committee | |
HB 2320
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Reducing the penalty for a person conducting unlawful internet gambling in his or her primary residence for recreational purposes.
Sponsors: Representatives Strow, Appleton, Newhouse and Williams.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/27/07
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
In 1973, the Legislature enacted the Gambling Act to regulate and limit the nature and scope of
gambling activities for the purposes of keeping the criminal element out of gambling and
promoting the social welfare of the people.
Gambling is strictly regulated and several criminal statutes address illegal gambling. For
example, a person is engaged in unlawful "professional gambling" when he or she acts other than
in an authorized manner and pays a fee to participate in a contest of chance or other gambling
activity. The penalty for professional gambling ranges from a class B felony to a gross
misdemeanor depending on the defendant's level of involvement in the activity.
A person who knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by telephone, telegraph,
radio, semaphore, the internet, a telecommunications transmission system, or similar means, or
installs or maintains equipment for gambling information is guilty of a class C felony.
Depending on the particular facts, a person who participates in unlawful internet gambling may
also commit the crime of professional gambling.
In October 2006, Congress adopted the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (Act). The
Act criminalizes the acceptance of funds by operators of gambling websites.
Summary of Bill:
A person who knowingly transmits or receives gambling information over the internet, or installs
or maintains equipment for internet transmission or receipt of gambling information in his or her
primary residence for recreational purposes is guilty of a misdemeanor. "Recreational purposes"
is defined as solely for the defendants' own enjoyment and not as part of an enterprise that
derives income from operating an internet website that transmits or receives gambling
information.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.