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Others Profit from Washington State Tribal Casino

“Gambling profits went toward land acquisition, education and economic development, said John McCoy, Tulalip Tribes executive director.

“But miles away from the betting masses and the din of the slot machines, a smaller tribe has found that gambling can change its situation, too.

“The Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, with 160 members, is taking advantage of a profit-sharing system unique to Washington.

“The state limits tribes to 675 machines each, so the Tulalips lease machines from the Sauk-Suiattles to fill their Marysville casino. They lease all 675 of the Sauk-Suiattles' machines but use only 329. When they open a bigger casino next spring, they will use all 675.

“…The Sauk-Suiattles (pronounced sok-swaddles) live on a small piece of land outside Darrington. Their lives off a gravel road in the North Cascades are quiet and secluded. They don't have the location or resources for a casino, but for the first time this year, they have a budget built on gambling profits.

“…While the Tulalips deal with construction, infrastructure, security, staffing and other details in their casino, all the Sauk-Suiattles had to do was a little paperwork.

“Neither the Sauk-Suiattles nor the Tulalips would reveal how much money is changing hands, but Ed Fleischer of the state Gambling Commission said most tribes charge from $5 to $8 per machine per day to lease machines. That comes to $1.2 million to $1.9 million a year if the Tulalips lease all the Sauk-Suiattles' machines.

“Three members of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe traveled to Seattle two years ago to ask the Gambling Commission for their allotment of machines. Then they worked out a lease arrangement with the Tulalips and started watching the money stack up. This year, for the first time, they are spending some of those funds.

“…The Tulalips are negotiating with other small tribes about using their machines to fill the new casino. The huge new building will hold 1,500 machines, the current state-imposed limit, McCoy said. Altogether, the Tulalips will operate more than 2,500 machines…”

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