This bill amends RCW 9.46.0277 to change the statutory definition of "raffle." Under the existing criteria retained in the amendment, a raffle is a game in which numbered tickets costing not more than $100 each are sold by a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, no nonmember takes part in management or operation, and no part of the proceeds benefits anyone other than the organization. The amendment adds that the term "raffle" does not include an electronic raffle conducted at a live sporting event when the total prize amount equals 50 percent of the gross gambling receipts collected. Legally, this is a definitional modification of an existing gambling statute rather than the creation of a new crime or a change to penalties; it changes how a particular activity is classified under state law. The change affects bona fide charitable and nonprofit organizations that run raffles, persons conducting raffles, and live sporting events where such electronic raffles might be held. The bill was read for the first time on 01/31/25 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services & Trade; sponsors listed include Senators Stanford, Kauffman, Chapman, Trudeau, Saldaña, Muzzall, Ramos, Conway, Wagoner, Braun, and Nobles. The text provided does not define "electronic raffle," "live sporting event," or "gross gambling receipts," and it is unclear whether the bill amends other statutes or includes implementation, enforcement, or licensing provisions.

If enacted, the change means that when an organization runs an electronic raffle at a live sporting event and sets the prize pool equal to half of the money collected, that activity would no longer fall under the state’s statutory definition of a "raffle." That will most directly affect bona fide charitable and nonprofit groups and the operators of live sporting events: these electronic raffles would leave the familiar raffle rules (including the $100 ticket cap for traditional raffles) and could change how much money actually goes to the charity because half of gross receipts would be paid out as prizes. What is not clear from the provided text is what legal or regulatory regime would apply instead, because the bill excerpt does not define "electronic raffle," "live sporting event," or "gross gambling receipts," nor does it show any follow-up licensing, enforcement, or tax changes. That leaves charities and event operators with uncertainty about new compliance obligations, potential costs or risks, and how proceeds must be handled until further statutory or regulatory detail is provided.