In 1997, the state of Washington played host to the legalization of house-banked cardrooms. These institutions are predominantly purveyors of food and beverages but derive considerable profit from facilitating social card games. Initially, the cap on bets was set at $25, however, this threshold was repeatedly pushed up until it reached $300 in 2009. Now, a recent report indicates a notable victory for the state’s cardrooms, with the bet limit experiencing a further $100 increment to a total of $400.
Information from the Washington State Standard indicates that the gambling regulator agreed upon an increased betting limit for cardrooms of $400, a decision made last week. This development serves as a significant milestone for these establishments as it has been over ten years since the limit experienced the last hike.
The vote on the proposal occurred last Thursday at a meeting of the regulator’s Commissioners which culminated in a 3-2 majority favoring the boost of the betting limit. Commissioners Julia Patterson, Bud Sizemore, and Alicia Levy, cast their votes in support of the proposed increase. Sizemore expressed this viewpoint: “The evidence is persuasive, indicating that the Legislature intended for the existence of these neighborhood casinos. I’m convinced that we possess both the rationale and legislative authority to make this decision.” Patterson, on the other hand, conceded that this limit increase was no easy decision, given the opposing arguments by the cardrooms and the Tribal operators.
Opposing views came from Commissioners Sarah Lawson and Anders Ibsen who voted against the suggested increase, arguing that this was at variance with what lawmakers originally intended for such establishments. Lawson shared her thoughts saying: “If the Legislature had intended for cardrooms to operate in this manner, they would have made that clear,” at the recent regulatory meeting.
A Raise in the Wager Limit Constitutes a Significant Victory for Cardrooms
The proposed increase in the betting limit also met with resistance from Tribal operators. They referred to a clause in the regulation of cardrooms which maintains that such venues should primarily focus on “selling food or drink for consumption on the premises” while offering social card games only as a “commercial stimulant”.
The previous summer witnessed Maverick Gaming, a firm that creates, owns, and runs gaming facilities, lodging a petition requesting a raise in the cardrooms’ betting limit to $500. This request was in response to the soaring cost of living crisis and increasing inflation rates. The firm justified the increase by arguing that it would enable cardrooms to effectively compete with Tribal casinos that were already permitted a higher betting limit.
At present, Maverick Gaming runs 23 card rooms in Washington. This includes their latest acquisition, the All-Star Lanes & Casino in Silverdale, which was taken over last month. While Maverick Gaming owns more than half of the 38 card rooms within Washington, the recent rise in the betting limit is expected to also benefit other similar establishments in the state.
