Squaxin Island, Gambling Commission outline restated tribal-state gaming compact in Senate hearing

Chair Kauffman convened the committee and introduced a public hearing on a proposed amended and restated tribal-state gaming compact involving the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Washington State Gambling Commission.

Tina Griffin, director of the Washington State Gambling Commission, explained the compact process under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA, 1988), noting IGRA sets the framework for negotiation of Class III gaming between tribes and states and permits compacts to address permitted game types, civil and criminal jurisdiction, fees and operational standards. Griffin said the commission includes ex officio legislative liaisons who participate in votes on compact amendments and outlined next steps: the tentative agreement is being heard in this forum, will go before the House State, Government & Tribal Relations Committee on Feb. 10 and will be considered by the Gambling Commission for public comment and a Feb. 12 vote to forward the compact to the governor or return it for negotiation.

Ray Peters, chairman of the Little Creek Oversight Board that governs the tribe’s casino, testified the Squaxin Island Tribe strongly supports the amendments, describing them as clarifications that update the compact to align with recent appendices negotiated by other tribes, improve the tribe’s ability to regulate and manage its casino and support local employment, housing and health-care opportunities in Mason County.

Joni Bridal, Tribal Relations Advisor for the Gambling Commission, described the restatement as a consolidation of six prior amendments into a cohesive document, the incorporation or removal of several appendices for clarity, and the addition of Appendix E (limitations) and Appendix G (electronic table games). She said the Squaxin negotiation includes an option for both a high-limit room and a flex high-limit room and that the tribe updated its responsible-gambling policies and removed contribution provisions from the compact. Bridal invited written public comment and said the commission will accept comments until the Feb. 12 commission meeting when the commissioners will vote on whether to forward the compact to the governor.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the compact during the public hearing. Chair Kauffman thanked the Gambling Commission and Squaxin Island representatives and acknowledged tribal contributions to language preservation, youth programs and local economic development. The hearing record remains open for public comment through the Commission’s published email contact and until the Feb. 12 meeting.