Snoqualmie Casino near Seattle September became the first sportsbook to open in Washington state—on the very first day of the NFL season.
Former Supersonics star Shawn Kemp placed the ceremonial first bet.
The tribal casino is partnered with International Game Technology, which helped the tribe to open the first sportsbook with impressive speed, according to observers who were impressed that the tribe got federal approval the week before, on August 31, along with eight other Washington tribes.
Stanford Le, CEO and President of Snoqualmie Casino stated, “It is only because of the hard work and collaboration between the Washington State Gambling Commission, the Snoqualmie Gaming Commission and our casino team members that we are able to accomplish this milestone in time for the kick-off of the NFL season.
Rebecca George, executive director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association congratulated the Snoqualmie tribe: “Today’s commencement of sports betting at the Snoqualmie tribe’s casino marks an important milestone in the progress that Washington State’s tribes have made in regaining their self-reliance.” She added, “The launch of sports betting is going to provide a real boost for tribal communities that are still working to recover from the tough impacts of COVID shutdowns. And the positive benefits will extend well beyond tribal communities themselves. Tribal gaming revenues not only fund critical services for long-underserved tribal communities, those revenues also bolster the overall economies of communities across Washington State.”
Eventually nine tribal casinos will offer sports betting: The Cowlitz Tribe’s Ilani Casino Resort, Lummi Nation’s Silver Reef Casino, The Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino, The Suquamish Tribe’s Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, The Stillaguamish Tribe’s Angel of the Winds Casino, The Squaxin Island Tribe’s Little Creek Casino and Resort, The Spokane Tribe’s Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights, Chewelah Casino, The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe’s Snoqualmie Casino and the Tulalip Tribes’ Tulalip Resort Casino.
Wagers are allowed on baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golf, MMA, motorsports, soccer, tennis, NCAA baseball, NCAA basketball and NCAA football. Betting on minor leagues or collegiate events involving a Washington college is not allowed.
