WA State Betcha.com decision reversed

[peidran]

Internet Community & Entertainment Corp., d/b/a Betcha.com, an Internet betting exchange, appeals from a summary judgment in its declaratory judgment action, ruling that it violated the Washington State Gambling Act, chapter 9.46 RCW, by providing a forum for person-to-person social wagering. We hold that because Betcha.com customers agreed in advance that participants were not required to pay their losses, Betcha.com was not engaged in "gambling" as defined in the Gambling Act. Also, the listing of bets for a fee was not "bookmaking" because bookmaking rests upon Betcha.com engaging in "gambling." We reverse 37079-4-II and remand for entry of summary judgment in favor of Betcha.com.

http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.showOpinion&filename=370794MAJ