Thurston County, WA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)
Key Facts
- Unlicensed social card games
- Prohibited countywide
- County tax on licensed card games
- 10% of net revenue
- Tax filed with
- County treasurer, quarterly
- Max delinquency penalty
- 35%, min $250
- Nonpayment penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 6 months jail
Summary
Thurston County bans social card games at any premises under TCC 6.60.015 unless the game is regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission. Commission-licensed card games are instead taxed by the county at 10% of gross revenue less prizes, collected quarterly by the county treasurer.
No person or persons, firm or corporation, shall conduct or allow any premises or facilities owned by or under the control of such person, persons, firm or corporation to be used for the conduct of any social card game as defined in RCW 9.46.0282. Provided however, this section shall not apply to social card games regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission pursuant to RCW 9.46.0351.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 77).
Full Breakdown
010). 015, added by Ord. 0351, meaning a state-licensed card room can still operate. 020 levies a county gambling tax of 10% of gross revenue from card games and raffles (net of prizes paid), 5% on bingo, 2% on amusement games, and 2% on punchboard and pull-tab activity, though bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations with no paid operating staff are exempt from the bingo, raffle and amusement-game tax specifically, not the card-game tax. 040), then file a sworn quarterly tax statement by the 15th of the month after each quarter ends. 070).
Violations & Fines
Late tax payments draw escalating penalties under TCC 6.60.050: 10% (minimum $25) for 1-10 days late, 15% (minimum $50) for 11-20 days, 25% (minimum $100) for 21-31 days, and 35% (minimum $250) for 32-42 days; 43 or more days delinquent is treated as a violation of 6.60.060. That section makes failure or refusal to pay the tax, or willful violation of any treasurer rule, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both, on top of the tax owed, with officers, directors and managers jointly and severally liable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are card rooms legal in unincorporated Thurston County?
What tax does Thurston County charge on licensed card games?
Do I need to register before running a taxed gambling activity in Thurston County?
What happens if the gambling tax is paid late?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thurston County
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