UPDATE 4/17/2024: OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has reached a tentative agreement with the Stillaguamish 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 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 amendment: “This compact negotiation shows that our agency and tribes can work together in good faith toward building an innovative framework for electronic table games in gambling. It also increases necessary problem gambling funding, which serves the needs of our state overall."
The Stillaguamish Tribe Chair Eric White said of the tentative compact amendment: “The Stillaguamish Tribe looks forward to our continued collaboration and partnership with the Washington State Gaming Commission. This relationship underscores a mutual commitment to fostering a sustainable gaming environment that benefits all stakeholders while honoring the Stillaguamish people's cultural heritage and economic aspirations. Together, we aim to set a standard for responsible gaming practices that can serve as a model for others.”
Next Steps:
- Formal notification about the proposed compact amendment was conveyed to the Governor, Legislature and others.
- The House Regulated Substances & Gaming Committee and the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee will hold public hearings.
- The Gambling Commission will vote at its public meeting on May 9, 2024, 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 Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians’ tribal-state compact for Class III gaming was originally signed on December 11, 2020, and this is the fifth amendment. Public comments regarding this compact amendment may be submitted to compactcomments@wsgc.wa.gov.