OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has reached a tentative agreement with the Lummi Nation 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, provisions to operate higher wager limits, extend credit to customers, and the option of a second facility (full amendment attached).
Washington State Gambling Commission Chairperson Alicia Levy said of the tentative compact amendment: “This tentative compact agreement with the Lummi Nation provides an example of how new innovations can still keep gaming legal and honest in our state.”
Lummi Nation Chairman Hillaire said of the tentative compact amendment: “The amendments to our Gaming Compact mark a significant step forward for the Lummi Nation. These updates not only affirm our sovereign right to expand gaming operations and electronic table games but will modernize outdated provisions. This agreement strengthens our economic foundation and supports our continued investment in the future of our people.”
Next Steps:
- Formal notification about the proposed compact amendment was conveyed to the Governor, Legislature and others.
- The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee and the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee will hold public hearings.
- The Gambling Commission will vote at its public meeting on July 10, 2025, and decide whether 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 Lummi Nation’s tribal-state compact for Class III gaming was originally signed on September 21, 1995, and this is the sixth amendment. Public comments regarding this compact amendment may be submitted to compactcomments@wsgc.wa.gov.