Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9.46.285 (2026)

Licensing and regulation authority, exclusive

✓ current as of May 2026

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This chapter constitutes the exclusive legislative authority for the licensing and regulation of any gambling activity and the state preempts such licensing and regulatory functions, except as to the powers and duties of any city, town, city-county, or county which are specifically set forth in this chapter. Any ordinance, resolution, or other legislative act by any city, town, city-county, or county relating to gambling in existence on September 27, 1973 shall be as of that date null and void and of no effect. Any such city, town, city-county, or county may thereafter enact only such local law as is consistent with the powers and duties expressly granted to and imposed upon it by chapter 9.46 RCW and which is not in conflict with that chapter or with the rules of the commission.

[ 1973 2nd ex.s. c 41 s 8.]

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1991–2018 · leading case: Am. Legion Post No. 32 v. City of Walla Walla, 802 P.2d 784 (Wash. 1991).

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Am. Legion Post No. 32 v. City of Walla Walla, 802 P.2d 784 (Wash. 1991). “RCW 9.46.285. Pursuant to this authority, Walla Walla enacted municipal ordinance 3.”

Edmonds Shopping Ctr. Assocs. v. City of Edmonds, 71 P.3d 233 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “21 RCW 9.46.285 expressly preempts any licensing and regulatory functions of gambling by any entity other than *356 the state, “except as to the powers and duties of any city, town, city-county, or county which are specifically set forth in this chapter.”

Wilson v. PTT, LLC, 351 F. Supp. 3d 1325 (W.D. Wash. 2018). “Whether High 5's Apps Facilitate "Illegal Gambling" High 5 essentially argues that the Ninth Circuit's interpretation of RCW 9.46.285 and 4.24.070 cannot be correct because it is contrary to RCW 9.”

State v. Lau, 300 P.3d 838 (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). “285 states: This chapter constitutes the exclusive legislative authority for the licensing and regulation of any gambling activity and the state preempts such licensing and regulatory functions, except as to the powers and duties of any city, town, city-county, or county which…”

Edmonds Shopping Ctr. Ass'n v. City of Edmonds, 71 P.3d 233 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “[21] RCW 9.46.285 expressly preempts any licensing and regulatory functions of gambling by any entity other than the state, "except as to the powers and duties of any city, town, city-county, or county which are specifically set forth in this chapter.”

State Of Washington v. William Lau (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). “285 states: This chapter constitutes the exclusive legislative authority for the licensing and regulation of any gambling activity and the state preempts such licensing and regulatory functions, except as to the powers and duties of any city, town, city-county, or county which…”

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