The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is the latest tribal gaming operator to be given the provisional go-ahead to open up sports wagering in Washington State. It joins the Suquamish and Tulalip Tribes, with more – up to 10 – expected to be sanctioned imminently by the state’s Gambling Commission.
Tuesday’s agreement means that the Kalispel Tribe will be able to launch sports betting at its facility located near Spokane. The Suquamish Tribe forged a similar concord earlier this week, while the Tulalip Tribe reached a tentative agreement in mid-April with the Washington State Gambling Commission on a sports betting compact
Rebecca George, Executive Director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA), responded to the news, saying: “Sports betting, like all tribal gaming, is carefully regulated through compacts negotiated by each tribe with the Washington State Gambling Commission.
“The Kalispel Tribe is now the third Washington tribe to reach a tentative compact agreement with the Commission that will allow responsible sports betting on the premises of the Kalispel Casino in Cusick, outside of Spokane.”
George was also keen to emphasize some of the benefits that will arise from sports betting, and offered an update on the likely timing of when it will go live on tribal premises.
She stated: “This new compact will create jobs, add to the local economy, and fund important services for the community, and will build on our established, safe and successful system of tribal gaming in Washington State. We expect additional compacts to be announced soon, and by this fall we anticipate sports wagering will be available at tribal casinos across the state.”
