SEARCH NEWS:

 

Washington Casino Tribe Donates to Problem Gambling

WASHINGTON – As reported by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe said yesterday it is donating $350,000 toward problem gambling treatment, the largest such contribution from a single gambling operator ever made in Washington state.

"The donation, given to the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse within the state Department of Social and Health Services, is aimed at restarting a state-sponsored gambling treatment program that was abandoned last year, despite clear evidence that it was succeeding.

"…Perhaps more important, advocates say, the donation, which came as a surprise to many yesterday, could jump-start momentum toward finding permanent financing for problem gambling treatment -- a cause proponents unsuccessfully pushed last legislative session amid squabbling between card room operators and the state's tribes.

"…In a letter to Gov. Gary Locke, Muckleshoot Indian Tribal Council Chairman John Daniels Jr. said that as Locke, the tribe and others worked to develop an ongoing, permanent solution, 'the Muckleshoot Tribe is stepping up to address the urgent and immediate funding problem faced today by contributing $350,000 to support problem gambling treatment and training programs.'…"

< Gaming News