Spokane Gamblers Raise a War Chest to Repeal Washington’s Gambling Law
In 1904, gamblers and liquor dealers pooled money for a statewide campaign to undo the anti-gambling statute—an early industry-funded push to rewrite the rules.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
SPOKANE, Sept. 19. — It is asserted by local gamblers that, in co-operation with the liquor dealers of the state, the gamblers throughout Washington have combined to secure the repeal of the state gambling law. For this purpose a fund is being raised that will be sufficient for all the needs of the campaign. The share of the Spokane gamblers will be $5,000, which sum is to be augmented by contributions from local liquor dealers. It is expected that, with the help of the people on the coast, the fund will easily be made to reach $100,000.
“The gamblers throughout Washington have combined to secure the repeal of the state gambling law.”
In 1904 Spokane gamblers and liquor dealers pooled money to repeal Washington’s gambling law. The playbook—industry-funded campaigns to rewrite state law—is familiar today, as Washington debates gambling expansion and who gets to shape the rules.
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