Pull tabs are a well established form of legal gambling in Washington. State law lets bona fide charitable and nonprofit organizations run pull tabs under a license, and it also lets commercial businesses that mainly sell food or drink, such as taverns and restaurants, offer them as a way to boost on-premises sales. Everything is overseen by the Washington State Gambling Commission under Chapter 9.46 RCW and the Commission's detailed rules. If you have ever grabbed a pull tab at a neighborhood bar or a fraternal lodge in Washington, you were taking part in a fully regulated activity.
Who Can Offer Pull Tabs
Washington is a little unusual because two different kinds of operators can be licensed to sell pull tabs. The first group is bona fide charitable and nonprofit organizations, such as veterans posts, fraternal clubs, and service groups, which are authorized under RCW 9.46.0311.
The second group is commercial businesses that are primarily engaged in selling food or drink for consumption on the premises, meaning taverns, bars, and restaurants. These businesses can run pull tabs as a commercial stimulant, a legal way to help drive food and drink sales. Either type of operator must hold a license from the Washington State Gambling Commission and follow its recordkeeping and training rules.
How They Work and Where to Find Them
A pull tab is a small paper ticket with perforated windows that you peel back to reveal symbols. Matching the right combination wins a set cash or merchandise prize, and the odds and payouts are fixed for each deal of tickets. This is separate from the state lottery's scratch tickets and from tribal casino games.
In Washington you will most often find pull tabs at the counter of a licensed tavern or inside a fraternal or nonprofit club, either sold by staff or offered from a dispenser. You must be at least 18 years old to play, and licensees are required to keep anyone under 18 from participating in gambling activities.
Rules and Electronic Formats
Licenses run for up to one year, operators must complete required training, and they have to keep detailed records for several years. The Commission's rules in WAC Chapter 230-14 spell out the technical and operational standards for punch boards and pull tabs.
On the electronic side, Washington's rules do allow certain pull-tab dispensers and electronic video pull-tab dispensers under WAC 230-14-045 and 230-14-047, so some machine-based play exists. However, the broad tablet or phone-app style electronic pull tabs seen in some other states are not authorized under the current rules.
Where can I play pull tabs in Washington?
Pull tabs turn up in licensed neighborhood taverns and bars, along with VFW and American Legion posts, Elks and Eagles lodges, and other fraternal and nonprofit clubs across the state.
Find a spot1,047 places to play pull tabs in Washington