SEARCH NEWS:

 

Tribal Casinos Surpass other Gambling in Washington

SPOKANE, Washington –As reported by the Associated Press: "Tribal casinos in Washington now take in more money than the state lottery, pull-tabs, card rooms, bingo and horse racing combined, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

"The tribes' share of Washington's gambling market rose from 40 percent to 53 percent in the past two years, state Gambling Commission Director Rick Day recently told a legislative committee.

"The commission estimates that tribal net receipts -- the amount wagered minus prizes paid out -- rose from roughly $422 million in 2001 to $700 million this year, The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported.

"During the same time, pull-tab sales and charity bingo games have lost millions of dollars in net receipts. The state lottery has seen sales drop $33 million since 2001.

"…State Rep. John McCoy, a Tulalip tribal leader, said tribal casinos can't be blamed for all the reduction in lottery and bingo revenue. He thinks those games simply don't appeal to younger people.

"He also points to the direct benefits of tribal gambling: health centers, jobs, scholarships and economic development, much of it benefiting nontribal residents…"

< Gaming News