"The phones in Indian Country had never been so busy.

As word trickled out Friday that the state and the Spokane Tribe of Indians had reached agreement on a new gambling compact, everyone wanted to know what everyone else knew, even if no one knew much.

Because what people did know was enough to convince them that the proposed compact would blow the doors off tribal gambling – really all gambling – in the state.

The Spokanes would receive a massive increase in the scope of gambling allowed – triple the number of slot machines allowed other tribes, five locations, an off-reservation casino, unlimited number of tables, unlimited hours and even unlimited betting limits for some gamblers.

In return, state and local governments would receive – for the first time – a share of gambling profits from a sovereign Indian tribe. Payments would be made on a sliding scale ranging from 3 percent of gross gambling revenue to 35 percent. Revenue of $100 million, for example, would bring the state and local governments $6.9 million."

Get the Story:
Peter Callaghan: Sweetheart deal for Spokanes? You can bet on it (The Tacoma News-Tribune 10/9)