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Bill to allow sports gambling in Washington moves to Senate

The upcoming vote by the Senate is the last major barrier before sending the legislation to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Editor’s note: The video above was originally published in January 2020.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - A bill to allow sports gambling in Washington state, but only at Indian casinos, has been approved by a state Senate committee despite concerns about a controversial emergency clause attached to it.

A Senate Ways & Means Committee rejected calls Monday to scrap the emergency clause, which blocks the bill from being subjected to a statewide referendum requiring 60% support to pass.

The Seattle Times reports the committee sent the bill to the full Senate despite objections that it grants a tax-free monopoly to the state’s Indian tribes while hurting smaller commercial card-room casinos.

The upcoming vote by the Senate is the last major barrier before sending the legislation to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.

RELATED: Washington lawmaker says state is not ready for sports betting

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