SEARCH NEWS:

 

Washington Cities Want Control over Mini-casinos

WASHINGTON – As reported by the Puget Sound Business Journal: "With Washington's gambling industry growing dramatically, cities are trying to get more control over expanded card rooms by asking state lawmakers to give cities clear zoning authority over the nontribal gambling establishments.

"City officials believe zoning power would help them resolve controversies over `minicasinos' -- such as when residents object to a gambling establishment in their neighborhood, or when downtown advocates believe a minicasino would undermine revitalization plans.

"The Everett City Council didn't wait for the state Legislature to act. Council members acted unilaterally on Sept. 10, when they imposed their own zoning restrictions by banning adult businesses and minicasinos from downtown Everett, the vicinity of Everett Station, and a 15-block length of Broadway Avenue.

"But other cities, along with the Association of Washington Cities, are still pressing the state Legislature for clear zoning authority over minicasinos.

"…The Recreational Gaming Association, an Olympia-based trade group of nontribal gambling operators, is willing to live with local zoning controls, provided that cities and counties don't tell minicasinos how to run their gambling operations.

"…Net gambling receipts for all forms of gambling in Washington state jumped 138 percent to $1.1 billion during the seven-year period that ended on June 30, 2002, according to data gathered by the state Gambling Commission.

"At nontribal card rooms, net gambling receipts during that period skyrocketed 1,535 percent to $245 million, commission data show.

"…Cities and counties have the option of banning minicasinos entirely, and several cities, including Seattle, have done so. Local governments that allow minicasinos, however, have limited control over the establishments, which are licensed and regulated by the state.

"…Cities that impose zoning restrictions on minicasinos are getting ahead of state statutes, the Gambling Commission says. `We don't believe that is authorized under the law,' commission spokeswoman Susan Arland said…"

< Gaming News