Most Washington tribes reach new Class III gaming compacts

Thursday, January 15, 2015

A view of the 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim, Washington. Photo from Facebook

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Nearly every tribe in Washington has reached a new Class III gaming compact.

The Washington State Gambling Commission announced agreements with 27 of 29 tribes. The compacts are due for a vote on February 13.

“I am pleased that state and tribal negotiators were able to reach this important agreement in such a timely manner," Chris Stearns, the chair of the commission, said in a press release. "I appreciate the hard work of all involved and am looking forward to hearing from the public, legislators and tribes."

One of the key provisions bars the use of electronic benefits cards at gaming facilities. The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe already has that policy in place, The Peninsula Daily News reported.

“We had agreed to that several years ago,” Jerry Allen, the chief executive officer of 7 Cedars Casino, told the paper.

The agreement also allows tribes to increase their allotment of gaming machines from 975 to 1,075, according to a summary provided by the commission. Other provisions address regulatory fees paid by tribes, problem gambling and smoking cessation.

Get the Story:
Peninsula casinos already in line with electronic benefit card policy under state consideration (The Peninsula Daily News 1/15)
Amendments to tribal gaming agreements proposed (KXRO 1/2)
Compact changes bar use of electronic benefit cards at Yakama casino (The Yakima Herald-Republic 12/31)