Universities and tribal operators clash over Senate Bill 6,137 expansion of sports wagering
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Summary
A House committee heard competing views on Senate Bill 6,137, which would let tribal facilities accept online wagers while bettors are on any tribe's premises and allow some collegiate-event wagering while banning bets on an individual enrolled athlete's performance. Universities warned of risks to student-athletes; tribal operators urged regulation and consumer protections.
A House State Governmental and Tribal Affairs Committee hearing on Senate Bill 6,137 opened with staff describing two core changes: allowing tribes to accept Internet-transmitted wagers while a bettor is physically present at any tribe's gaming facility and lifting Washington's ban on wagers tied to collegiate events involving in‑state institutions while continuing to prohibit bets on the performance of an enrolled individual athlete, counsel Connor Schiff told the committee.
Representatives of Washington State University and the University of Washington urged caution. Connor Hagerty of Washington State University said the bill would "expose our student athletes to greater harassment," arguing that expansion of wagering increases opportunities for harassment, manipulation and other harms and that statutory anti‑harassment provisions may not be consistently enforced. Morgan Hickel of the University of Washington urged the committee to preserve the bill's ban on individual prop bets, citing NCAA recommendations and saying the measure is important for student safety.
From the industry side, Yale Roe, who manages operations at Emerald Queen Casinos in Tacoma and Fife, testified in support and said in‑state collegiate wagering already occurs through offshore and unregulated platforms. Roe said the bill would "redirect" existing demand into regulated tribal venues with age verification, problem‑gambling safeguards, monitoring for suspicious betting patterns and cooperation with regulators. He emphasized the proposal's prohibition on wagers tied to an individual's athletic performance and called the changes a modest but necessary update to preserve consumer protections and competitive integrity.
Committee members questioned witnesses about enforcement and whether expanded wagering could increase opportunities for point‑shaving or other manipulations. Witnesses acknowledged that banning prop bets helps but said it cannot eliminate all risk, and university representatives said broader exposure itself raises integrity and safety concerns. Staff noted the bill would operate under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and that tribal compacts would continue to govern Class 3 gaming on tribal lands.
The hearing concluded without a committee vote; staff provided a physical bill packet in the committee's electronic binder.