Skokomish Tribe reaches new gaming compact with Washington

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The Lucky Dog Casino in Skokomish, Washington. Photo from Facebook

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The Skokomish Tribe has reached a new Class III gaming compact with the state of Washington.

The update comes in the form of an amendment to the existing compact. It puts the tribe in line with nearly every other agreement in the state.

"The commission takes its government-to-government responsibilities seriously and we are proud of the outcome of these compact negotiations," Chris Stearns, a Navajo Nation citizen who chairs the Washington State Gambling Commission, said in a press release. “Tribal gaming will continue to benefit tribal citizens, as well as the people of Washington, under this agreement."

The amendment will be subject to public hearings in the Washington Legislature before it goes to a vote of the commission. If approved by the panel, it will be signed by the tribe and the state governor.

Finally, the compact will be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for review. The agency last year approved new agreements for 27 tribes in the state.

Federal Register Notice:
Indian Gaming (June 4, 2015)

Relevant Documents:
BIA Approval Letter (May 29, 2015)