Whatcom County, WA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Whatcom County only
- Who may operate
- Bona fide charitable/nonprofit orgs only
- State license required
- WA State Gambling Commission
- Max fine
- $500.00 per WCC § 9.04.040
- Old ban repealed
- Former § 9.04.030, Ord. 2008-019
Summary
Whatcom County limits card games in the unincorporated county to bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations licensed by the Washington State Gambling Commission. WCC § 9.04.020 permits bingo, raffles, amusement games and social card games only for these licensed nonprofits; the county's old ban on public cardrooms was repealed in 2008, but no ordinance authorizes a commercial card room in its place.
Any bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization qualifying under RCW Chapter 9.46 and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, having any necessary licenses therefor, issued by the Washington State Gambling Commission, pursuant to RCW Chapter 9.46, may conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games and social card games in the unincorporated areas of Whatcom County; provided, however, that all reports and payments required are current.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963078; v4 updated 2026-06-23; through 06-23-2026).
Full Breakdown
04 of the Whatcom County Code governs cardrooms in the unincorporated county; it does not reach gaming on Lummi Nation or Nooksack Indian Tribe trust land. 46 and the rules of the Washington State Gambling Commission by reference. 020 allows only a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, holding a current Gambling Commission license, to run bingo, raffles, amusement games and social card games in the county, and it requires that the organization's reports and payments to the state stay current. 030, was repealed by Ord.
020. 00 on conviction. 295, an operator proposing a for-profit card room in unincorporated Whatcom County would need county authorization that this chapter does not currently provide.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 9.04, including running an unlicensed card game, falsifying a gambling report, or obstructing an inspector, is a misdemeanor under WCC § 9.04.040, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 per conviction. Each day of an ongoing violation can support a separate charge, and the Washington State Gambling Commission can independently suspend or revoke the underlying state gambling license for the same conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a for-profit card room in unincorporated Whatcom County?
What penalty applies for running an unlicensed card game?
Does this chapter apply on tribal land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whatcom County
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