The Kalispel Tribe of Indians and the Washington state Gambling Commission have reached an agreement that would allow sports wagering at the tribe’s Northern Quest Resort by football season.
Kevin Zenishek, executive director of casino operations at Northern Quest told the Spokane Spokesman-Review, “This is pretty monumental. This is a big deal.” He said the tribe hopes to offer wagering in time for the NFL season. “We worked with the state to make sure that we could do this. The goal here was to bring a form of sports gambling that was legal and honest.”
The state is negotiating similar agreements with its gaming tribes, and several others have been given preliminary approvals, said Brian Considine, legislative manager of the commission.
All agreements will need the nod of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the signature of Governor Jay Inslee. In addition, the commission will need to draft licensing and regulations that will be considered at a hearing on June 10.
Last year the legislature passed House Bill 2638 that authorized tribes to exclusively offer sports betting at their brick and mortar casinos. It allows betting on college sports, but not on college sports in the state. It also doesn’t permit wagering on minor league teams based in Washington. Online sports betting is only allowed on the premises of the casinos.
The Kalispel Tribe has already started the remodel to convert the Turf Club Lounge into the Turf Club Sports Book.
