Tentative agreement reached to amend Chehalis Reservation tribal gaming compact

The Washington State Gambling Commission and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation announced a tentative agreement Monday to amend the tribes’ 30-year-old Class III gaming compact.

Changes to the compact include the addition of sports wagering plus higher wager limits and extended credit to customers, according to a news release.

The agreement also includes funding earmarked for public programs.

“This amendment is an agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation to join other tribes modernizing their gaming operations and adding sports wagering to their casinos,” said WSGC Chair Bud Sizemore. “It also means a boost in funding for programs to help people struggling with problem gambling along with charitable contributions and community impact funding.”

“The Chehalis Tribe views this updated compact as an expression of the continued excellent working relationship between the Tribe and the state and the continuation of the Tribe’s well-regulated offer of safe gaming for the citizens of the state of Washington,” said Chehalis Tribe Chairman Harry Pickernell Sr.

The next steps for actualizing the agreement include formal notification to the governor, legislature and others, as well as public hearings to be held by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and House Commerce and Gaming Committee.

WSGC will vote at its public meeting on May 12 to decide whether or not to forward the amendment to the governor.

If the commission votes in favor of the amendment, it will be sent to the Tribal Chair for final consideration and signature.

The final step will be for the Tribe to send the amendment to the secretary of the Department of the Interior for consideration, signature and publication in the Federal Register.

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