Washington closes sports betting deal with Suquamish Tribe

The state of Washington has sealed a deal with the Suquamish Tribe to allow sports betting to start at the tribal casinos as early as autumn.

US.- Washington State’s Gambling Commission has reached an agreement with the Suquamish Tribe to allow sports gaming, making the tribe the second in Washington to offer sports betting after a deal with the Tulalip Tribe back in April.

The agreement will allow the Suquamish Tribe to offer sports betting at its Class III gaming facility located on the Kitsap Peninsula on the Port Madison Indian Reservation.

The facility must use Geofence security to ensure that sports wagers are placed only on the premises. It can’t accept sports betting on college sports events where a state university is participating, or encourage bettors to place bets of a specific amount.

Before the deal takes effect, it will have to pass legislative hearings at the Senate labor committee, a vote from the state gambling commission in June and subsequent approval from the US Secretary of the Interior before final publication in the Federal Register.

Rebecca George, executive director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) said: “Today’s announcement that the Suquamish Tribe is the second tribe to reach a tentative agreement on a compact with the state to allow sports wagering at their casino is another strong indication that our carefully regulated system of tribal gaming is working.”

Bud Sizemore, chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission said: “I am grateful for the thoughtful and cooperative approach taken by the Tribe and State in reaching this tentative agreement and this compact amendment continues to recognize the Tribe’s sovereignty and successful operation and regulation of gaming.”