About Us
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Washington State Gambling Commission
P.O. Box 42400
Olympia, WA 98504
360-486-3440
360-486-3629 (fax)
The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) is the second oldest gambling regulatory agency in the nation. The Legislature created the WSGC in 1973 after a series of gambling related scandals.
Five citizens are appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, to act as part-time Commissioners, for a single six-year term. Once appointed, a Commissioner can only be removed for cause by a subcommittee appointed by the Chief of the Supreme Court. This structure ensures the Commission maintains an arm’s length distance from the political structure.
The Commission appoints a director, who appoints agency staff. Of the 164.4 full-time positions authorized, about 90 are commissioned law enforcement officers, responsible for enforcing the gambling laws.
Janice Niemi - Seattle
Commission Chair
Alan Parker - Olympia
Keven Rojecki - Tacoma
John Ellis - Seattle
Janice Niemi - SEATTLE
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Commissioner Niemi served in the Washington State Senate and the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1994. Commissioner Niemi retired as a King County Superior Court Judge in 2000.
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Chair
July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2008
Peggy Ann Bierbaum - QUILCENE
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Commissioner Bierbaum is an Attorney working in a private law practice in Port Townsend. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, moving to Seattle in 1988. |
Vice-Chair
August 25, 2005 through June 30, 2011
Keven Rojecki - TACOMA
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Commissioner Rojecki is a 15-year veteran firefighter with the SeaTac Fire Department, and holds the position of legislative liaison with the Washington State Council of Firefighters. |
July 15, 2006 through June 30, 2012
John Ellis - SEATTLE
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Commissioner Ellis retired from the Attorney General’s Office after 28 years and served as a Deputy Director for the Attorney General. He has practiced in his own law firm since 2001. |
February 10, 2005 through June 30, 2013
Alan Parker - OLYMPIA
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Commissioner Parker is an attorney and a member of the faculty of The Evergreen State College, where he serves as the Director of the Northwest Indian Applied Research Institute. |
May 15, 2000 through June 30, 2009
