Lummi Nation, gambling commission present compact amendment to allow electronic table games, credit and higher limits

The Lummi Nation and the Washington State Gambling Commission on July 10 presented a proposed sixth amendment to the Lummi Nation–Washington State tribal-state gaming compact that would authorize electronic table games, allow the extension of credit to customers and permit higher wager limits, and would give the tribe the option to expand to a second gaming facility. The presentation took place at a public hearing of the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.

The proposed amendment was described by Tina Griffin, director of the Washington State Gambling Commission, and Johnny Bray, the commission’s tribal relations adviser, and by Vice Chair Terrence Adams and Councilperson Vindine Washington of the Lummi Nation. Griffin said the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA) provides the framework for negotiating class III gaming compacts and that “gaming provides tribal governments with funds necessary to build and sustain their governmental infrastructure.” Johnny Bray summarized the package as including electronic table games (ETG), a limitations appendix covering extension of credit and higher wagers, and language allowing a second…