The Pasco, Washington State region is waiting for approval from the US government for federal trust status to set up a tribal casino.
The tribe has requested the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs to place the parcel into federal trust status. The tribe and Pasco city officials plan to sign a preliminary document on Wednesday.
According to the Tri-City Herald, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation is considering developing a brick and mortar casino or water park on the property north of Pasco, near a major truck stop. The region also wants to attract more tourists and to create more jobs through training programs.
Rodney Cawston, chairman of the Colville Business Council, told the Herald that they were working with local officials to develop land near Pasco although they had not made any firm decisions.
Gaming Misconducts increase in Washington State
Washington State has emerged as the site of multiple gaming-related crimes this year. Earlier this year, a teen blackjack dealer from the Clearwater Casino in Suquamish was arrested after he allegedly helped players beat the house while playing 21. Also, in September, the King County Washington State sheriff investigated a man who stole over $13,000 in a Shoreline casino. According to Casino.org, the gangster was also reported to have been involved in the Sept. 27 robbery. During the same month, Washington State’s Crazy Moose Casino Pasco lost over $38,000 to a card player who allegedly switched cards inappropriately at least 38 times over several weeks while playing high card flush.
Unsuccessful Tribal Sports Betting Legislation
A tribal sport betting bill sponsored by Majority Caucus Chair Eric Pettigrew and seven other Washington State lawmakers failed to go through in the legislature earlier this year. In February, the House Committee on Commerce & Gaming approved the proposal. But it never made it past the Appropriations Committee. Pettigrew’s (D-37) bill was limited to having gamblers be physically present in a casino to wager on athletic events.
