OLYMPIA – Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland, was recently appointed to serve on the Washington State Gambling Commission.
The Commission, established by the Legislature in 1973, acts as the licensing, regulatory, and enforcement program for all gambling within the state, except horse racing and the lottery.
“The gambling industry benefits our state’s economy and budget but can also be plagued by a criminal element. That’s why the Commission is so important. It protects the public by ensuring that gambling is legal and honest, and helps promote social welfare through strict regulation,” Kloba said.
Kloba has served on the House Commerce & Gaming Committee, which considers issues relating to the regulation and oversight of gaming, as well as the regulation of commerce in alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, since she was first elected to the Legislature in 2016. In recent years, Kloba has advocated for solutions to address problem gambling, including her successful legislation to create a statewide, voluntary self-exclusion program for those with a gambling problem or disorder, which was signed into law earlier this year.
“It’s an honor to serve on the Commission, and I look forward to working with the commissioners and continuing my efforts to address problem gambling,” said Kloba.
The next meeting of the Washington State Gambling Commission will be on October 10.