This saw those acting on behalf of the state regulator arrest Sara Lee Moon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on theft charges, before she was later booked into county jail on four counts of first degree theft.

One year ago, the agents of the WSGC, which also reiterated a mission to “protect the public by ensuring that gambling is legal and honest,” conducted a routine inspection of gambling records at the VFW post that is located in the Washington state city of Prosser.

As a result, it was discovered that over $300,000 of funds were missing from gambling and bar accounts, which subsequently sparked the WSGC into beginning a criminal investigation into the VFW.

“After an extensive investigation, VFW employee Sara Moon was identified as the theft suspect,” the Washington gambling regulator noted.

Furthermore, it was also discovered that Moon, who started working as a Gambling Manager at the VFW in June 2019, had put some of the funds into personal financial accounts.

“The series of thefts were traced back to 2019,” the Commission added. “Moon used her position of trust, confidence, and fiduciary responsibility to facilitate the commission of the crimes.”

The WSGC is an accredited, limited jurisdiction law enforcement agency and the only state-wide agency devoted to gambling licensing, regulation and enforcement.

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Following the company’s receipt of a sports wagering licence from the Washington State Gambling Commission, Caesars Sportsbook has partnered with Muckleshoot Casino, Spokane Tribe Casino, and its sister property, Chewelah Casino, to provide in-person sports betting services at each property. 

“Partnering with three tremendous casinos for our expansion into Washington state is a big moment for Caesars Sportsbook,” noted Eric Hession, co-president of Caesars Digital.

“We’re thrilled to offer Washington sports bettors a chance to get into the action in time for Super Bowl LVI and we can’t wait to see how fans from Seattle-Tacoma to Spokane enjoy the thrill of betting on their favourite teams and events.”

Plans for each casino will range from the opening of a full Caesars Sportsbook location to the offering of self-service betting kiosks.

The new Caesars Sportsbook at Muckleshoot Casino features four live betting windows and nine self-service betting kiosks, with plans also in place to offer sports bettors on-property mobile wagering through the Caesars Sportsbook app, subject to Washington state regulations. 

Moreover, Spokane Tribe Casino will also open a Caesars Sportsbook location inside the casino, while Chewelah Casino will offer guests sports betting via self-service kiosk technology inside its property.

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This latest green-light will permit licences to be issued to vendors who have completed the licensing process on or after August 30, 2021, however, they will still need to have licences approved by Tribal Gaming Agencies and the Gambling Commission before they can begin providing services.

Despite this significant hurdle being cleared, sports wagering at tribal casinos still have to wait for compact amendments, which has thus far been agreed by Governor Jay Inslee and 16 tribes, to be approved by the Department of Interior.

A ruling is anticipated during the latter stages of August or early September, which could feasibly clear the way for bets to be taken in time for the NFL season opener on September 9.

“I am very grateful for all the hard work Commission staff put into getting these rules finalised since we reached agreements with our tribal regulatory partners in May,” commented Bud Sizemore, chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission.

“This ushers in a new era for regulated sports wagering in Washington State and Washington citizens will be able to access tribal sportsbooks of the highest integrity in the near future. 

“My hope is that the completion of these licensing rules will allow us to work more closely with our tribal and national regulatory partners and local sports teams and leagues to better address the sports wagering black market so that we can continue to protect the public by keeping gambling legal and honest.”

Currently the sixteen tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Lummi Nation, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, Spokane Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Suquamish Tribe, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip Tribe of Washington, and Skokomish Indian Tribe, have approved sports wagering compact amendments before the US Department of Interior for review and approval.

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These become the third and fourth alliances struck, following agreements with the Tulalip Tribes and Suquamish Tribe, and would allow the Kalispel and Snoqualmie tribe’s to offer sports wagering at the Northern Quest Casino and Snoqualmie Casino, respectively.

“On behalf of the Snoqualmie Tribe, we would like to thank the State administrators and casino team members who contributed to the Washington sports wagering regulatory framework,” said Robert de los Angeles. Snoqualmie Tribal chairman. 

“We look forward to providing this exciting new gaming offering to our loyal casino patrons, which will allow us to expand our tribal programs and community partnerships.”

The next steps will see legislative hearings held in the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs and House Commerce and Gaming Committees.

The WSGC will then view and vote on the compact amendment on June 10, 2021, which if approved, will be followed by the official signing by the tribal chair and governor. 

Once signed by both, the tribe will send the amendment to the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior for consideration and publication in the Federal Register. The compact amendment is not final, and sports wagering cannot begin, until this is achieved.

“This agreement ensures sports wagering will be conducted with the highest integrity while protecting the public by keeping gambling legal and honest,” added Bud Sizemore, Washington State Gambling Commission chair. “I appreciate the tribe and state’s cooperative and thoughtful approach on this agreement.”

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This becomes the second such agreement in the state, following that of the Tulalip Tribes, and, if permitted, would allow the Tribe to offer sports wagering at its Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort.

“We are pleased with the progress of the compact amendment and the partnership it represents with the Governor, Legislature, Gambling Commission and citizens of Washington,” commented Leonard Forsman, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe.

“Revenue from sports wagering will help support the Suquamish Tribe’s important governmental services offered to both tribal members and the non-tribal community. This compact means guests at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort will enjoy additional exciting activities while ensuring that sports wagering revenues remain in Washington.”

The next steps will see legislative hearings held in the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs and House Commerce and Gaming Committees.

The WSGC will then view and vote on the compact amendment on June 10, 2021, which if approved, will be followed by the official signing by the tribal chair and governor. 

Once signed by both, the tribe will send the amendment to the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior for consideration and publication in the Federal Register. The compact amendment is not final, and sports wagering cannot begin, until this is achieved.

“I am grateful for the thoughtful and cooperative approach taken by the Tribe and state in reaching this tentative agreement and this compact amendment continues to recognise the Tribe’s sovereignty and successful operation and regulation of gaming,” said Bud Sizemore. Washington State Gambling Commission chair

“This agreement ensures sports wagering will be conducted with the highest integrity while protecting the public by keeping gambling legal and honest. Completion of these negotiations allows us to focus more on the black market in our state.”

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This concludes an almost year-long negotiation process between Governor Jay Inslee, who had signed ESHB 2638 to authorise sports wagering at tribal casinos, and the Tulalip Tribes, which operates the Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino facilities in the state.

“We believe that this compact amendment is a thoughtful approach by the tribe and state that ensures sports wagering will be conducted with the highest integrity while protecting the public by keeping gambling legal and honest,”  explained Bud Sizemore Washington State Gambling Commission chair.  

“The state and tribal negotiation team did a great job coming to this agreement. There is still a lot of work before the first regulated sportsbook opens in our state, and I’m hopeful sports wagering can launch before the NFL regular season begins.”

This is the first sports wagering compact agreement in the state, with the amendment establishing the framework for sports wagering at the tribe’s facilities while recognising its track record of successfully operating and regulating gaming in accordance with their compact.

The next step will see legislative hearings held in the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs and House Commerce and Gaming Committees.

The WSGC will then view and vote on the compact amendment on June 10, 2021, which if approved, will be followed by the official signing by the tribal chair and governor. 

Once signed by both, the tribe will send the amendment to the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior for consideration and publication in the Federal Register. The compact amendment is not final, and sports wagering cannot begin, until this is achieved.

“We are extremely satisfied with the compact amendment and our ability to work together with the state on this effort to maintain a strong regulatory environment for gaming in Washington State,” commented Teri Gobin, Tulalip chairperson.  

“Sports wagering is an exciting new opportunity for Washingtonians. The revenue sports wagering provides – like all tribal gaming revenue – stays in Washington, creating jobs and increasing charitable contributions that benefit communities throughout the state.”

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The company, which operates 28 gaming, entertainment and hospitality facilities in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Washington State, is to shed its subsidiary to Maverick Gaming for a cash consideration of $56m.

Great American currently owns and operates three Washington State casino properties, Everett, Tukwila and Lakewood, with it also representing all of the US operations of the company.

The purchase and sale of Great American is subject to the consent of Washington State Gambling Commission regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, with the close of the deal expected to occur in the third quarter of this year.

Rod Baker, chief executive officer of Great Canadian Gaming, commented: “The sale of Great American will allow Great Canadian to focus on its core growth markets, as we continue to execute on our operational and development plans for 2019 and beyond.

“The divestiture is in line with the company’s stated strategic goals, and demonstrates our commitment to exploring opportunities to create shareholder value.”

Last month Great Canadian Gaming praised a landmark 12 months, which brought huge revenue increases complemented by a series of strategic acquisition and integrations.

In its latest financial results Great Canadian saw fourth quarter and full year revenue increases of 126 per cent and 99 per cent to CA$342m (2017: CA$151m) and CA$1.2bn (2017: $614.2m) respectively.

The company, which expanded the gaming floor of its Great Blue Heron Casino to encapsulate 200 new slot machines, also saw the fourth quarter deliver adjusted EBITDA of CA$120.3m, rising 145 per cent from CA$49.2m, with net earnings rising 281 per cent to CA$49.2m (2017: $12.9m).

On a full year basis adjusted EBITDA was boosted 113 per cent to CA$474.4m (2017: CA$223m), and net earnings of CA$239.8m, a 180 per cent rise from $85.7m.

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Hearing oral arguments in December of last year, with a wide belief of a favourable outcome for New Jersey, it seems to be a case of when, not if, sport betting is permitted within the state.

Within the United States tribal gaming represents big business, and, it is believed within some sectors, could be key when looking at the long term outlook.

Aurene Martin, partner at Spirit Rock Consulting, gives a brief insight into the scale and inner workings of tribes and their casinos: “It’s a $32bn annual industry in the United States, and depending on how you look at tribal gaming versus other segments of the gaming industry, it represents between 40%-50% of the entire industry in the US.

“We’re pretty proud of that figure because we have been growing continuously since Indian gaming started in 1988.

“So tribes are different from commercial gaming in one very important respect, tribal gaming is owned and operated by Indian tribes, tribal sovereign governments, in the United States.

“They are, we like to say, 100% taxed, because all of our profits go to the operation of our tribal governments and providing services for our people.

“It is also very different from commercial gaming in that it is operated under the framework of federal Indian law, [and the] Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

“And the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act preserves the rights of tribes, which they already have inherently, to operate gaming, but it was also a compromise, between tribes and states, for them to work within the legal framework of the state which they are in agreement with.

“Those with class three style gaming are classed in the Indian Regulatory Act as those with casino style games, and so it is different in that way because you have to look at every state in which tribes are located to determine how that game might be operated.”  

With Debbie Thundercloud, chief of staff at the National Indian Gaming Association, adding: “We have 248 tribes in the United States that do conduct gaming, those tribes are located with 29 of the states, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act requires that tribes and states enter into contracts that outline how gaming is going to be conducted, how it is going to be regulated, for those class three style games.

“And those terms and conditions of how the contracts vary for each of those tribes, so each of the 248 tribes have gaming may have different nuances and terms and conditions within those contracts.

“Some of those contracts may be exclusivity clauses, so that’s where it complicates how sports betting might get rolled out in the United States within Tribal gaming because those tribes have exclusive jurisdiction within those states to have gaming and there may be commercial forces that want to participate in that, but because of those exclusivity clauses it makes the political dynamics a little bit different.

“The PASPA law has a specific reference to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and gaming conducted on Indian lands, which includes tribal gaming in the prohibition of sports betting.”

Labelling tribes as the US gaming markets “best kept secret” Thundercloud went on to detail the research, information gathering and education currently being undertaken by tribes on the sports betting betting issue: “Indian gaming is a good platform, I think, for this whole sports betting opportunity, because we provide those kinds of things to companies who are wanting to build and grow.

“So I think Indian gaming is the place to begin with.

“Another thing some of our partners said is that tribes are in business relationships for the long term, and that is very true.

“Within Indian Country we like to develop relationships of trust and reliability, and that takes a lot of time, but once that relationship is established and there is a lot of trust there, you can expect to be able to do business with us for a very long time.”

Chris Stearns, commissioner for the Washington State Gambling Commission, shares a belief that tribal gaming could represent a good option: “For operators I think Indian Country offers a perfect opportunity for sports betting, and it will vary by state, what kind of products are allowed.

“In Washington we are, in terms of tribal gaming, one of the top five markets in the United States, the gross gambling revenue for the entire state is around $3bn.

“Currently the tribal gaming sector produces around 88% of that market, that’s a lot because the remainder of our market is commercial partners and those numbers have been decreasing lately, because they simply cannot offer the same kind of products that tribal casinos can offer.

“In our state we have a constitutional prohibition against gambling, except as specifically authorised when the constitution was amended in 1972, and then it provides that any new form of gambling has to be approved by a super majority, 60% of the legislature or 50% of the voters if it goes to a referendum.”

“There are 29 tribes in Washington, and 22 tribes operate 28 gambling facilities, and they range in size from 200-300 machines all the way up to almost 4,000 machines.

“What is important to think about is that if PASPA is overturned, and there is an opportunity in Washington, they would have to get authorised by the legislature and by that super majority margin.

“It is no secret that tribes in Washington are very effective, they are very united and they carry a lot of political weight.

“To me, my own opinion is that the real battle over what kind of sports betting would be allowed will be driven by the tribes,” added Sterns.

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