Gambling Commission forwards Port Gamble S'Klallam and Upper Skagit compact amendments to governor

The Washington State Gambling Commission on Jan. 8 voted to forward proposed compact amendments from the Port Gamble S'Klallam and Upper Skagit Indian tribes to the governor for review and potential execution.

Commission staff and tribal representatives described how revenue from gaming supports tribal governments and regional communities. Corey Hinton, attorney for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, said gaming revenue is essential to the tribe’s services and projects, adding, “Without a doubt, the tribe's gaming operations are the most significant economic engine within the tribal economy,” and cited housing projects, a community health center and environmental restoration work.

Donnie Bray, the commission’s tribal relations adviser, summarized the Port Gamble amendment as addressing Appendix F items — including extension of credit and higher wager limits — increasing the number of gaming stations and authorizing language for a second facility, and adopting an Appendix G provision similar to other recent tribal amendments. After a closed public hearing (staff reported no Port Gamble-specific public comment), Commissioner Charles moved to forward the amendment and Commissioner Skartvut seconded. Roll-call votes recorded Vice Chair Lawson — yes; Commissioner Charles — yes; Commissioner Skartvut — yes; Senator Conway — oppose; Representative Clovis — yes; Chair Levy — yes. The motion passed by recorded vote (5–1).

David Hawkins, representing the Upper Skagit Tribe, described the tribe’s history, tribal services funded by gaming and the request in that amendment to permit electronic table games to remain competitive. Bray summarized Upper Skagit’s proposed changes as a sixth amendment that would adopt Appendix G, amend compact language on air quality, and remove a smoking-cessation contribution in a separate section. Commissioners moved and seconded the motion to forward Upper Skagit’s amendment; roll-call votes recorded five approvals and no oppositions. The commission forwarded the Upper Skagit amendment to the governor (5–0).

Both presentations emphasized the tribes’ use of gaming revenue for tribal housing, health services, education and natural-resource work (Hinton cited the Warrior Ridge housing project’s second phase of 30 units; Hawkins described scholarships and a down-payment assistance program). Staff noted that both proposed amendments were previously the subject of joint legislative committee hearings on Dec. 19.

Next steps: forwarding does not finalize adoption; the governor’s office will receive the proposed amendments for review and any further action, including referral back for negotiations if necessary. The commission’s public packet notes one public comment not specific to either tribe; staff reported no written public comments tied directly to the two amendments.