Gambling Commission, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians reach tentative agreement on gaming compact amendment

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington State Gambling Commission has reached a tentative agreement with the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians on an amendment to its Class III gaming compact. The amended compact includes updates to regulatory and operational processes and also clarifies provisions. The tribe operates the Angel of the Winds Casino Resort, located on the Stillaguamish Reservation, in Arlington.

We are happy to have reached agreement with the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians' on an amended gaming compact. These revisions modernize the agreement and adopt existing provisions of other gaming compacts in the state said Washington State Gambling Commission Chair Bud Sizemore.

In addition to updating operating standards and clarifying jurisdiction and most - favored-nation provisions, the following is a summary of the main modifications: (Read Full Amendment)

Forms of Payment - Adds the use of near-field communication (NFC) devices, EMV or smart cards, or similar secure payment technologies upon agreement.

Prohibition of Firearms - In addition to those already authorized to enter the facility armed, this allows the tribe to authorize other gaming facility employees to be armed due to the facility's remote location.

Registration - Replaces State Certification of employees with State Gaming Employee Registration verification. The Tribal Gaming Agency will still license new or renewing employees and then register them with the State.

Problem Gambling - Creates and maintains a responsible gambling program and provides additional funding for problem gambling treatment.

Contributions - Provides additional funding for community impact and charitable contributions.

Limits -

  • Allows designated area for 25% of table games on the gaming floor to offer up to $1,000 wagers and limited tables can offer up to $5,000 wagers after customer screening.
  • Allows operation of 3,000 player terminals in one gaming facility or a combination of two facilities.
  • Allows $30 wagers at the player terminals in operation.

Extension of Credit - allows extension of credit to qualified customers, based on screening criteria set out in the appendix, and documented in a memorandum of understanding.

Moratorium - Establishes a moratorium on additional changes until six months after Problem Gambling Task Force completes its report.

Next Steps:

  1. Formal notification about the proposed compact amendment will be conveyed to the Governor, Legislature and others.
  2. The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and House Commerce and Gaming Committee will hold public hearings.
  3. The Gambling Commission will vote at its public meeting on May 13, 2021 and decide whether or not to forward the proposed compact amendment to the Governor.
  4. If the Commission votes to forward the Tribe's amendment, it will be sent to the Tribal Chair for final consideration and signature.
  5. Once the Tribal Chair signs the amendment, it will be sent to the Governor for final consideration and signature.
  6. 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 and publication in the Federal Register.

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 Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians tribal-state compact for Class III gaming was originally signed on December 11, 2000 and this is the third amendment. Public comments regarding this compact amendment may be submitted to compactcomments@wsgc.wa.gov.

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