OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has reached a tentative agreement with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians on an amendment to its Class III gaming compact. The proposed amendment includes provisions that already exist in other tribal compacts, including provisions to operate higher wager limits and extend credit to customers and a framework for electronic table games at the Tribe's gaming facility.
Also included is additional funding earmarked for public programs, including an increase in the Tribe's problem gambling contributions (full amendment attached).
Washington State Gambling Commission Chairperson Alicia Levy said of the tentative compact agreement: "Each tribal compact grows our relationship with tribes, creating a productive, respectful conversation as we keep gambling honest and legal for years to come.
Curt Holmes Vice Chairman of the Kalispel Tribe said The Kalispel Tribe is pleased to adopt these modernizations to its Compact. The Kalispel Tribe utilizes gaming revenue to support the essential governmental services that the Tribe provides to its members and the surrounding community, including law enforcement, courts, education, mental health, wellness & prevention, and problem gambling services at its state of the art Camas Center for Community Wellness. The Kalispel Tribe looks forward to continuing our strong relationship with the WSGC to provide well-regulated gaming, and a luxury resort experience at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino and the Kalispel Casino.
Next Steps:
- Formal notification about the proposed compact amendment will be conveyed to the Governor, Legislature and others.
- The Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee and House Regulated Substances & Gaming Committee will hold a joint public hearing on November 1, 2023.
- The Gambling Commission will vote at its public meeting on November 16, 2023, and decide whether or not to forward the proposed compact amendment to the Governor.
- If the Commission votes to forward the Tribe's amendment, it will be sent to the Tribal Chair for final consideration and signature.
- Once the Tribal Chair signs the amendment, it will be sent to the Governor for final consideration and signature.
- After obtaining the signatures of the Tribal Chair and the Governor, the Tribe will send the amendment to the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior for consideration, signature and publication in the Federal Register.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 provides that Indian tribes may conduct Class III gaming activities on Indian lands when the gaming is conducted in conformance with a tribal-state compact. RCW 9.46.360 provides that the Gambling Commission negotiate those compacts on behalf of the state. The Kalispel Tribe of Indians tribal-state compact for Class III gaming was originally signed on October 20, 1998, and this is the fifth amendment. Public comments regarding this compact amendment may be submitted to compactcomments@wsgc.wa.gov.