Update May 13, 2021: The Washington State Gambling Commission reached tentative sports betting agreements with another 11 federally recognized tribes: the Colville, Cowlitz, Jamestown S’Klallam, Lummi, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Shoalwater Bay, Spokane, Squaxin Island, Stillaguamish, and Swinomish.
New deals reached
The Washington State Gambling Commission revealed this week that it has signed tentative sports betting agreements with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. Both tribes’ compacts now include sports betting services.
Officials first approved sports betting legislation in the state back in March when Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill into law allowing tribal gaming venues to offer the wagering options. Since that time, tribes have been busy negotiating deals to get started in the new industry.
Kalispel Tribe sports betting agreement
The tentative agreement with the Kalispel Tribe is the third to take place in Washington state. The amendment to its Class III gaming compact creates the sports betting framework at the gaming facilities owned by the tribe.
The tribe and the state will now address concerns that were codified in the Gambling Act, including licensing and regulation. Officials also need to review sports integrity, money laundering, agency funding, criminal enforcement, and problem gambling
The Gambling Commission is preparing to have draft rules sent to Commissioners by June 10, the date set for the next public meeting. Officials must review the rules before moving forward.
Snoqualmie Indian Tribe agreement
The state signed a similar agreement with the Snoqualmie Tribe. Commission Chair Bud Sizemore commented on the compact change, stating it ensures that sports betting operations will be conducted with the highest integrity.
cooperative and thoughtful approach on this agreement”
“I appreciate the Tribe and State’s cooperative and thoughtful approach on this agreement,” Sizemore said.
Robert de los Angeles, the chairman of the Snoqualmie Tribe, commented, thanking the administrators of the state and casino team members who took part in the sports betting regulatory framework.
Both agreements must now be subject to legislative hearings. The Gambling Commission will need to review and vote on the compact amendments by June 10. If approved, the compacts then go to the Tribal Chair and Governor for signing.
Once this process is complete, the compacts move on to the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior for review and publication in the Federal Register. The agreement is final once it is published in the register.
Additional compact agreements
Earlier in the year, the Tulalip and Suquamish Tribes signed amended compacts with the state to offer sports betting services. Both tribes worked quickly to make the appropriate compact changes in order to get started in the new industry.
For the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, sports betting is just one more way in which the tribe will expand its services in the state. Back in January, the tribe signed a deal with the state adding new provisions to its compact. As a result, the state approved new gaming tables and higher wagering limits.