Tribal gaming compacts and amendments

See the agreements with all 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington that allow casino-style gaming.

According to The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988, states must negotiate gaming compacts with tribes to allow casino-style gaming (if it's legal in that state).

Washington state law delegates our director the responsibility of negotiating Class III gaming compacts. All 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington have a gaming compact:

 

What appendices and amendments authorize

Appendix X

Appendix X authorized the tribes to operate electronic gaming devices known as the “Tribal Lottery System” (TLS) which use either:

  • Electronic scratch tickets (with a finite number of tickets and a pre-determined number of winning tickets) or
  • Online lottery tickets.

Each tribe had an allocation of 675 player terminals and could operate up to 1,500 at a facility by leasing player terminals from other tribes.

The maximum wager amount was $5.00 and cash was not allowed in or out of the player terminals.

Appendix X2

Appendix X2 authorized a number of changes to the TLS.

  • Each tribe’s allocation of player terminals increased to 975.
  • The maximum number of player terminals increased to 2,500 per facility, except for Muckleshoot, Tulalip and Puyallup. These three tribes had a maximum of 3,500 player terminals, increasing to 4,000 after three years. These tribes are authorized to have up to 2,500 player terminals per facility.

Appendix X2 amendments

Appendix X2 Amendment authorized a number of changes.

  • Tribes ensure all cash dispensing outlets and point of sale machines within its gaming facilities do not accept electronic benefits cards.
  • Each Tribe’s allocation of player terminals increased 1,075. The maximum number of machines allowed at a facility did not change.
  • Annual regulatory fees for each Tribe’s gaming activities shall be determined according to the State’s current cost allocation model, eliminates the 10% pre-payment discount, credit, and alternative regulatory fee agreement options, the State provides 90 days’ notice when changing the cost allocation model, the State shall provide an audited accounting of its actual costs by April 30th of the following year.
  • Each Tribe’s annual contributions towards problem gambling and smoking cessation services established in Appendix X2 shall be paid within 1 year of the close of the Tribe’s fiscal year to match other required contribution timeframes.

Increasing terminal allocation

Each Tribe may increase its allocation by 50 player terminals, but only if the following conditions are met.

A tribe must provide the state with:

  • Written notice that there are 500 or fewer player terminals available for lease among all Tribes participating in the Tribal Lottery System
  • A certification from an independent accounting firm that confirms the number of machines available.

Within 30 days, the State reviews the certification and verifies the player terminals available for lease in the state. Any allocation change would be effective 30 days after notification by the State to the Tribe.

This allocation is limited to 1 per 12-month period.

If any Washington Tribe will operate more than 1,075 player terminals upon opening a new gaming facility, a Tribe can notify the State, and with State concurrence, receive an additional 50 player terminal increase within the 12-month period.

When a Tribe receives an increase under this section, any other compacted Washington Tribe shall receive the same increase.