Anti-tribal gaming measure in Washington fails

Wednesday, November 3, 2004  

A gaming initiative that Washington tribes spent more than $5 million to oppose was killed at the ballot box on Tuesday.

Initiative 892 failed with only 39 percent of voters saying yes to the measure. A significant 61 percent voted against it.

I-892 would have allowed slot machines at non-Indian card clubs, bars, restaurants and other facilities. Supporter Tim Eyman said proceeds taxed by the state would reduce property taxes.

Washington tribes fought the measure with a broad coalition of interests. They said their path to self-sufficiency was threatened by the expansion of non-Indian gaming.

Get the Story:
Gambling measure failing in Eyman defeat (The Seattle Times 11/3)
Gambling defeated; 'top two' primary OK'd (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 11/3)
No to gambling, yes to a new primary (The Tacoma News-Tribune 11/3)