Washington Pact May Increase Gambling

The slot machine compact that the state of Washington has signed with the Spokane Tribe of Indians is thought of by many as just another road to go down for expanded gambling. Opponents say that by signing the bill, Governor Chris Gregoire has just signed the fate of the state and all the other tribes that will go looking for a major slot machine and casino expansion.

Washington State is very much against online gambling and refers to them as criminals, and yet they just allowed the compact to have as many as five casinos and almost 5,000 slot machines. However, now all the other tribes are looking to expand the number of slot machines that they are allowed, with the Puyallups looking to increase the 3,000 slot machines that they currently own and operate.

The state is probably looking at around 25,000 slot machines in the state once all of the compacts are signed. However, the state says that they do not see any other tribes getting the 4,700 slot machines that the Spokane’s have, because their location had a lot to do with their approval.

The Gambling Commission and Governor Gregoire have already approved the slot machine compact, so now it goes to the Department of the Interior, who is also expected to approve it. The Spokane’s are the last tribe in the state to sign a compact; they have been operating illegal slot machines for years. Many say that if the other tribes want the same thing they should just take it like the Spokanes did.

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