Washington tribe announced opening date

The new Ilani Casino Resort in Cowlitz Native Tribe’s reservation, in Washington State, will be opened on April 24.

US.- The Cowlitz Native Tribe announced that the upcoming Washington State casino, Ilani Casino Resort, will open its doors to the public next week, on April 24. The project took seven years to be completely approved due to a legal battle against the operators.

As reported by OregonLive, officials from the tribe announced on Friday that the opening will include 15 restaurants, retail stores and bars. The 100.000 square feet gambling venue is set to feature up to 2500 slots machines, with 60 high limit slots and 80 gaming tables. Moreover, it will include five high-limit tables. Earlier this month, the federal Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from denouncers, who denied the tribe’s rights to the reservation territory. Opponents, including La Center cardrooms, claimed that the State’s government made a mistake by giving the Cowlitz Tribe 152-acre plot in 2010. As the Supreme Court rejected the appeal, operators will be able to inaugurate its US$510 million Ilani Casino Resort and open the new US$32 million Interstate 5 interchange at Exit 16.

The gambling complex is set to draw away approximately US$200 million every year from other card rooms and tribal casinos, as well as the Oregon Lottery. Furthermore, Bill Iyall, Cowlitz Tribe Chairman, said that they’re expecting 4.5 million visitors annually and 1200 permanent jobs once they’re open to the public.