Currently, online gambling remains illegal in Washington State, and there's no specific timeline for when it might become legal. As of 2024, Washington has some of the strictest online gambling laws in the United States, classifying it as a Class C felony.

The path to legalization faces several challenges. The state legislature needs to introduce and pass new bills to modify existing gambling laws, particularly RCW 9.46.240, which explicitly prohibits online gambling. This process could take several years, and there's no guarantee of success.

Recent developments suggest some movement toward change. In 2020, Washington legalized sports betting, but only at tribal casinos. This marked a significant shift in the state's gambling policies, though it didn't extend to online platforms.

Several factors will influence the timeline for potential legalization:

Revenue potential for the state
Public opinion and voter support
Tribal gaming interests
Legislative priorities
Consumer protection concerns

Based on current trends and legislative patterns, I estimate that online gambling might become legal in Washington State within the next 3-5 years. However, this would likely happen in phases:

Phase 1: Expansion of current tribal sports betting to include mobile options
Phase 2: Introduction of online poker
Phase 3: Full

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