Fifteen Washington gaming tribes recently added sports betting amendments to their tribal state gaming compacts. They say they aim to open the sportsbooks in time for the NFL season in September.
The amended compacts, signed by Governor Jay Inslee, must also pass muster with the Department of the Interior, which has 45 days to approve or reject them.
Rebecca George, executive director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association, said in a statement: “People are very excited. We have worked diligently to bring sports betting to Washington by the start of football season.”
She added, “With over 70 percent bipartisan support of the legislature, a unanimous vote of the Washington State Gaming Commission, and now full support of the governor’s office, this action is further confirmation that the state and the tribes agree that our tribal gaming system is safe, regulated and responsible, and that it works well for Washington state residents.”
The list of 15 tribes includes the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the Lummi Nation, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, the Squaxin Island Tribe, the Stillaguamish Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the Tulalip Tribes and the Skokomish Indian Tribe.
Betting will be allowed in brick-and-mortar casinos and mobile devices on casino premises.
A year ago, the Washington legislature approved sports betting exclusively for tribal casinos. The law authorizes betting on professional, collegiate, international and Olympic sports and esports. Bets in-state, minor league sports and high school or youth sports are not allowed.
George added, “We have tribal, state and federal government regulations. We work hand and hand with legislature and are one of, if not the most, regulated industries in the country. The revenues generated from Indian gaming stay in Washington, creating thousands of jobs and benefiting communities across our state.”
Gaming in the state accounts for $5.3 billion in economic activity and 37,000 jobs.
