Note: This content was produced by the Economic Alliance of Lewis County, which publishes a monthly print supplement in The Chronicle focusing on economic news and commentary.
A tentative agreement has been reached by the Washington State Gambling Commission and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation to add sports wagering, operate higher wager limits and extend credit to customers of its Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester.
“This amendment is an agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation to join other tribes modernizing their gaming operations and adding sports wagering to their casinos,” said WSGC Chair Bud Sizemore. “It also means a boost in funding for programs to help people struggling with problem gambling along with charitable contributions and community impact funding.”
Chairman Harry Pickernell, Sr. of the Chehalis Tribe said in a press release, “The Chehalis Tribe views this updated Compact as an expression of the continued excellent working relationship between the Tribe and the State and the continuation of the Tribe’s well-regulated offer of safe gaming for the citizens of the State of Washington.”
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 Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation’s tribal state compact for Class III gaming was originally signed on Dec. 21, 1992, and this is the sixth amendment. Public comments regarding this compact amendment may be submitted to compactcomments@wsgc.wa.gov.
Next Steps:
• Formal notification about the proposed compact amendment will be conveyed to the Governor, Legislature and others.
• The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and House Commerce and Gaming Committee will hold public hearings.
• The Gambling Commission will vote at its public meeting on May 12, 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.
