The Colville Confederated Tribes’ million 12 Tribes Resort and Casino recently opened in Omak, Washington, a 45 miles south of the Canadian border. The 56,000 square foot casino will be followed on June 22 by a four-story, 92-room hotel. An official grand opening will be scheduled in July. The facility, which will employ about 200 full-time workers, will be double the size of the existing Okanogan Casino, which has been closed. Chief Operating Officer Randy Williams said, “It’s a beautiful casino. We think it’s the nicest looking in the state. We hope everyone else will be happy with it.”
Upon entering the property, visitors will be greeted by a seating area and a floor-to-ceiling, lighted water sculpture. Near the front entrance, the sweet shop will offer coffee, bulk candy, pastries and ice cream.
The casino will start out with the 428 Class III slot machines from the Okanogan Casino, plus an additional 72 from the tribe’s other area casinos, as well as live poker, craps, roulette and blackjack. Sculptural glass bubbles suspended above the ceiling will light the gaming floor, with tile or carpeted pathways leading visitors to other parts of the building.
The hotel will feature 80 guest rooms and 12 luxury suites overlooking the Okanogan Valley, plus a heated indoor pool, fitness center, sauna, spa and 24-hour room service.
The property will offer two restaurants: Yu Asian Bistro, specializing in Asian cuisine, and Camas, a contemporary American dining spot. The nightclub, Evolution, will offer live entertainment including comedy shows and music and Element 78 is a stylish casino floor lounge.
Williams said the 12 Tribes organization already has marketed the new property in Canada and the Seattle area. “We will have an extensive busing program with Canada, Seattle and maybe Spokane. We are getting quite a few reservations” for the hotel, Williams said, and “there will be folks wanting to see the new casino.”
12 Tribes Casino Manager Byron Miller said, “I think it’s exceptional, it’s a nice advancement for the tribe. I think it booms the economy.” Project Manager Karl Jackson added, “It will be the flagship for the tribe.”
12 Tribes also owns and operates Mill Bay Casino, Okanogan Casino and Coulee Dam Casino. The 12 Tribes Casino Resort is the first development to feature a hotel.
