Washington lawmakers put gaming and marijuana on same panel

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

The new $27 million hotel at Angel of the Winds Casino is accepting reservations starting January 2, 2015. Photo from Stillaguamish Tribe

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The Washington House of Representatives will have a new committee in the next legislative session that will oversee two seemingly different issues.

The Commerce and Gaming Committee will focus on gaming and marijuana, The Everett Herald reported. The alcohol and tobacco industries also will be covered.

Marijuana is a new industry for the state -- Initiative 502 created a tax and regulatory structure for the drug after passing in 2012. Gaming has been around a lot longer -- between 2003 and 2013, tribal revenues grew a whopping 214 percent, according to the Washington State Gambling Commission.

The Washington Senate is expected to announce its committees this week, the paper said.

Charts show the growth of tribal gaming in Washington. Source: Net Receipts, Washington State Gambling Commission

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