Washington Governor Jay Inslee signs 15 tribal sports wagering compacts

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee approved sports wagering compacts with 15 tribes, raising hopes that the Evergreen State will offer betting by the start of the NFL season this fall.

The compacts, signed July 6, will be sent to the US Department of Interior, which has 45 days to take action upon receiving them.

Washington lawmakers legalized in-person and mobile sports betting at tribal casinos in March 2020. The Washington State Gambling Commission approved the 15 tribal compact agreements in June

“This will give people the opportunity to participate in a new gaming activity that is safe and well regulated by the tribes,” Inslee said.

The tribes who’ve received Inslee’s approval for sports wagering compacts are: Colville, Cowlitz, Jamestown S’Klallam, Kalispel, Lummi, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Shoalwater Bay, Snoqualmie, Spokane, Squaxin Island, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, and Tulalip.

A 16^th application from the Skokomish is expected to receive approval from the state gambling commission imminently.

Washington tribes’ exclusivity of legal sports betting has been challenged by Nevada-based Maverick Gaming, which operates 19 of Washington’s 44 non-tribal card rooms.

Maverick is pushing for an expansion of sports betting outside tribal casinos. The company was a key supporter of Senate Bill 5212, which would allow card rooms and racetracks licensed by the state to offer sports wagering. The bill, which was unsuccessful, called for a 10% tax of gaming revenue and required a $100,000 site license fee.

Ezra Amacher

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