The Washington State Gambling Commission voted 6-3 on Friday in favor of a gaming compact with the Spokane Tribe after the tribe made some concessions.

The tribe won't offer no-limit betting for three years, secretary Gerald Nicodemus told the panel. After three years, the tribe will negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the state for high-states gaming, he said.

The move convinced state Sen. Margarita Prentice, a Democrat who sits on the commission, to vote for the compact. Previously, she had opposed it.

The compact allows the tribe to operate up to 4,700 slot machines and up to five casinos. Only one other tribe -- the Yakama Nation -- has higher limits. The compact also allows high-stakes betting and cash-fed slot machines, provisions unique to the tribe.

Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) has said she will probably sign the compact.

Get the Story:
Spokanes' gambling expansion approved (The Tacoma News-Tribune 2/10)
Gambling commission clears way for more tribal gaming (AP 2/10)