Early February sees the launch of sports betting at Washington State’s Squaxin Island and Suquamish tribal casinos, Little Creek Casino in Shelton and Clearwater Casino, respectively.
These are the latest in a series of similar launches, with 16 Washington tribes now approved to add sports betting, and Rebecca George, Executive Director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA), issued the following statement in response to these latest openings:
“The launch of sports betting at these tribal casinos in Washington State is another step forward on the road to greater self-determination for Washington State’s tribes. Tribal gaming is government gaming. Our tribes rely on the revenues generated by our casinos to fund important public services for some of the most historically marginalised and underserved communities in Washington State. Tribal gaming creates good jobs and contributes billions to our state economy.
“Our tribal gaming system is safe, responsible and benefits communities across Washington. The system works well and strikes the right balance. The option to participate in gaming activities is available to responsible adults, but through compacts, additional tribal investments and community partnerships here in Washington State we have minimized the negative social consequences that can sometimes result from gambling.
“Tribes in the state of Washington are committed to conducting sports betting and other forms of gaming safely and responsibly, and we stand united in opposing any attempt… to undermine the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribal compacts and what the tribes have worked so hard to build over decades of effort.”
