Samish Nation seeks to put land in trust for first gaming facility

Tuesday, August 23, 2011  

The Samish Nation of Washington is hoping to open its first gaming facility.

The tribe is already part of the Indian gaming industry. Under its Class III compact, the Samish Nation leases the rights to 975 slot machines to other tribes.

But a physical casino could go up on an 11.41-acre site near a major highway. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is preparing a draft environmental impact statement for the project.

The tribe acquired the property in 2008. Generally, land placed in trust after 1988 can't be used for gaming.

But as a recently recognized tribe, the Samish Nation could qualify for an exception under Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Get the Story:
Long-suffering Samish say casino might change luck (The Seattle Times 8/23)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Samish Indian Nation Fee-to-Trust Acquisition and Casino Project, Skagit County, WA (August 11, 2011)