After several failed attempts by Maverick Gaming to bring legalized sports betting to neighborhood cardroom in Washington State, the company has proposed another bill.
Maverick Gaming has been purchasing neighborhood cardrooms statewide and has spent and upwards of tens of millions to expand its land-based reach.
Washington first legalized sports betting in 2020, but limited activity to tribal casinos. The law was passed by a bipartisan supermajority.
Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) Executive Director Rebecca George responded to Maverick Gaming’s latest attempt by issuing a written rebuttal.
She said in an official statement: “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 we have minimized the negative social consequences that can sometimes result from gambling.”
As a non-profit organization, the WIGA represent federally recognized tribes statewide and focuses on improving the lives of tribal communities on social, political and economic levels.
George went on to emphasize that voters have voiced what they do not want despite Maverick’s arguments to the contrary.
She concluded by saying: “In their own words, Maverick wants to ‘bring sports betting to the mass population of Washington.’ But Washington voters and elected officials have decisively rejected previous efforts to uproot our existing system and massively expand non-tribal gaming.
“The public’s resistance to major gambling expansions in their neighborhoods and local communities remains strong. Washington State tribes continue to strongly oppose Maverick’s gambling expansion legislation.
"It would severely undermine Washington State’s safe and successful system of gaming and would put Washingtonians at risk, and we call on legislative leaders to once again reject it."
