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Washington Tribes Donate to Problem Gambling Program

WASHINGTON – As reported by the Olympian: "Three more tribes made good Monday on an 8-month-old pledge to help pay for treatment of problem gamblers, handing checks totaling close to $400,000 to Gov. Christine Gregoire out of proceeds from tribal casinos.

"Several legislators also praised the donations, saying it opens the way to passing legislation this year that would resurrect the state's program for treating problem and pathological gamblers. That program shut down after a few months in 2003 for lack of money.

"Muckleshoot tribal chairman John Daniels Jr. handed over the biggest of the checks, $350,000. Tulalip vice chairwoman Marie Zackuse gave $37,500 more, and Ron Allen of the Jamestown S'Klallam gave $15,000.

"That was on top of $20,000 each given previously by the Squaxin Island and Nisqually tribes, and $15,000 from the Swinomish. $100,000 is expected from Puyallup Indian Nation, Gregoire's policy expert, Dick VanWagenen, said.

"…One lawmaker, Republican Sen. Jim Honeyford of Sunnyside, said he still has questions about whether the tribal donations will be 'ongoing or one-time.' Honeyford also questioned the amount, noting that tribes generate about 58 percent of the gambling activity in the state at their casinos but would be donating a much smaller share than that toward the cost of treating problem gamblers.

"…The latest tribal donations bring to $452,000 the amount now in hand that the state Department of Social and Health Services will hold until legislation passes to restart the program, according to Dick VanWagenen, policy adviser to the governor on gambling issues…"

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