 Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! Related Links
|
Gaming News
Commerical and tribal casinos in Washington will close temporarily17 March 2020Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced today an emergency proclamation that mandates the immediate two-week closure of all restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities, including casinos, cardrooms, bingo halls and racetracks, as well as additional limits on large gatherings. The new orders go into effect at midnight on 17 March and will be in place through March 31. The announcement comes after the recent spike in numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state and across the country. “If we are living a normal life, we are not doing our jobs as Washingtonians,” Inslee said. “We cannot do that anymore. We need to make changes, regardless of size. All of us need to do more. We must limit the number of people we come in contact with. This is the new normal.” “Given the explosion of COVID-19 in our state and globally, I will sign a statewide emergency proclamation tomorrow to temporarily shut down restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities. “Additionally, all gatherings with over 50 participants are prohibited and all gatherings under 50 participants are prohibited unless previously announced criteria for public health and social distancing are met.” In addition, the the Suquamish Tribe, Snoqualmie Tribe, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Tulalip Tribes, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, Cowlitz Tribe, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe have temporarily suspended casino operations. The governor acknowledged and thanked the tribes for cooperating: “It was only a matter of time before their government would take this step, also, Leonard Forsman, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe told the Seattle Times. “We have to do everything we can. And that means everything . . . I think you will be seeing more (closures) coming out.” |