Earlier this week, the Suquamish Tribe reached a sports betting agreement with the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA), becoming the second tribe to do so.
After a year of negotiating, a compact agreement was reached in April. It allows the tribe to offer sports wagering at its casino and becomes the first sports betting contract agreement in Washington.
And executive director of WIGA, Rebecca George, has given her thoughts on the latest tribal agreement.
George said: “Today's announcement that the Suquamish Tribe is the second tribe to reach a tentative agreement on a compact with the state to allow sports wagering at their casino is another strong indication that our carefully regulated system of tribal gaming is working.
“Over the last three decades, tribes have built a strong partnership with the state to build a system that creates a range of gaming opportunities for the public at a limited number of tribal casinos, while protecting against the negative social consequences that would result if gambling were expanded in our neighborhoods.”
Before the agreement with the Suquamish Tribe, the state of Washington reached a similar sports betting agreement with the Tulalip Tribe. George believes this is just the start, as more tribes might come forward to take advantage of sports betting growth in the US.
She added: “We expect more announcements soon about additional Tribe-State agreements. And we're looking forward to offering sports wagering at tribal facilities across the state as soon as this fall."
