Maverick Gaming, which has announced two separate casino purchases in recent weeks, last week called on the Washington legislature to legalize sports betting.
The Nevada-based, privately-owned company announced the acquisition of the Wizards Casino in Burien, near Seattle for an undisclosed price. The week before the company announced the purchase of five casinos, which brought its total number of properties to 19 in Washington. The purchases are subject to approval of the Washington State Gambling Commission.
Maverick CEO Eric Persson released a statement that said, “We continue our commitment to the state of Washington and the card room industry,” and which urged legalized sports betting, which Persson said could generate more than $50 million annually in taxes for the state. He said the purchase of the Wizards Casino will be funded through cash on hand and financing from a private investment firm, HG Vora Capital Management.
Persson’s statement continued, “As our footprint grows in Washington, we are very interested in helping the state see the potential tax revenue sports wagering can generate for Washingtonians.” He added, “We believe Maverick’s geographic diversity, coupled with our sports betting expertise, make the Maverick properties natural partners with the state in sports wagering.”
Persson and Justin Beltram founded Maverick Gaming two years ago. Besides the Washington properties, it owns the Wendover Nugget and Red Garter hotels in Wendover, Nevada, and the Red Lion Casino, Gold Country Casino, and High Desert Inn in Elko, Nevada.
