OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has reached a tentative agreement with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe on an amendment to its Class III gaming compact. The proposed amendment includes provisions that already exist in other tribal compacts, including provisions to operate higher wager limits and extend credit to customers, as well as provisions that do not exist in other tribal compacts that establish a new framework for electronic table games at the tribe’s gaming facility.
Also included is additional funding earmarked for public programs, including an increase in the tribe’s problem gambling contributions.
“As always, our goal is to ensure legal and honest gambling in our state,” said Washington State Gambling Commission Chairperson Alicia Levy. “Working effectively with tribal partners, such as the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, has achieved a tentative agreement toward an innovative model for electronic table games as well as other gambling provisions.”
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Chairman W. Ron Allen said of the compact amendment: “Our Jamestown Tribe views this compact amendment as an opportunity to modernize our 7 Cedars operations and gaming floor to present new progressive and engaging options for our customers. These new electronic products will bring in financial resources for the Tribe to provide more services to our Jamestown community on the Olympic Peninsula. This negotiation process demonstrates the respectful and meaningful government-to-government relationship between our tribe and the state. This compact amendment continues our well-regulated gaming operation in cooperation with the State of Washington.”
Next Steps:
- Formal notification about the proposed compact amendment will be conveyed to the Governor, Legislature and others.
- The Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee and House Regulated Substances & Gaming Committee will hold public hearings.
- The Gambling Commission will vote at its public meeting on July 20, 2023, and decide whether or not to forward the proposed compact amendment to the Governor.
- If the Commission votes to forward the tribe’s amendment, it will be sent to the Tribal Chair for final consideration and signature.
- Once the Tribal Chair signs the amendment, it will be sent to the Governor for final consideration and signature.
- 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, signature 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 Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s tribal-state compact for Class III gaming was originally signed on February 19, 1993, and this is the eighth amendment.
