Is Robinhood legal in Washington?

Yes, but contested: all of Robinhood's event contracts face an open dispute in Washington, with no restriction in force. Washington agreed in federal court, in a stipulated order of May 21, 2026, not to pursue civil or criminal enforcement against Robinhood while the Ninth Circuit's Nevada appeals are resolved. The case is stayed, and no restriction is in force.

Updated Oct 2, 2026 · not legal advice

Reviewed by Vardan Khachatryan · Oct 2, 2026

The short answer

Yes, but contested: all of Robinhood's event contracts face an open dispute in Washington, with no restriction in force.

Robinhood Derivatives LLC v. Griffin, No. 3:26-cv-05311 (W.D. Wash.) – source

What you can trade from Washington

Everything Robinhood lists nationally, including all event contracts: no restriction on them is in force in Washington while the dispute continues. Other venues here: Kalshi (blocked), Polymarket (national position), DraftKings (not covered), FanDuel (not covered).

What Washington's regulator has said

Mar 30, 2026
lawsuit · stayedRobinhood sued Washington's attorney general and gambling commissioners to block enforcement against its event contracts.
Robinhood Derivatives LLC v. Griffin, No. 3:26-cv-05311 (W.D. Wash.) · source
May 21, 2026
ruling · decidedA federal judge approved Washington's agreement not to enforce against Robinhood while the Nevada appeals run.
Robinhood Derivatives LLC v. Griffin, No. 3:26-cv-05311 (W.D. Wash.) · source

Change log

Oct 2, 2026
Current statusYes, but contested: all of Robinhood's event contracts face an open dispute in Washington, with no restriction in force. It rests on Robinhood Derivatives LLC v. Griffin, No. 3:26-cv-05311 (W.D. Wash.).
May 21, 2026
ruling (decided)A federal judge approved Washington's agreement not to enforce against Robinhood while the Nevada appeals run.
Mar 30, 2026
lawsuit (stayed)Robinhood sued Washington's attorney general and gambling commissioners to block enforcement against its event contracts.

How this compares to Washington sports betting

Where a state allows sports betting, sportsbooks are licensed and taxed by that state; an event contract on a federal exchange is neither, which is the whole dispute. The Washington action concerns all of Robinhood's event contracts. Whether a state may enforce at all is the question the federal appeals courts have split on. Washington is in the Ninth Circuit. On August 28, 2026, it held that sports event contracts are not swaps, so states may enforce their gambling laws against them (No. 25-7516). Litigation tracker

Common questions

Is Robinhood legal in Washington?

Yes, but contested: all of Robinhood's event contracts face an open dispute in Washington, with no restriction in force. Washington agreed in federal court, in a stipulated order of May 21, 2026, not to pursue civil or criminal enforcement against Robinhood while the Ninth Circuit's Nevada appeals are resolved. The case is stayed, and no restriction is in force.

Can I still use Robinhood in Washington for non-sports markets?

Yes for now. The Washington dispute covers all event contracts, but no restriction is in force.

Is this legal advice?

No. It summarises public rulings and actions, each cited. For a decision that matters, ask a lawyer licensed in the state.