Gambling plan draws skepticism

OLYMPIA — A proposed Spokane Tribe of Indians gambling agreement is unfair to other tribes and represents a major expansion of tribal gaming, skeptical legislators said.

The Eastern Washington tribe is asking the state and federal government to end more than a decade of legal challenges and approve the gaming compact, which would make the Spokanes one of the state's largest casino operators.

Tribal secretary Gerald Nicodemus told lawmakers Tuesday the agreement allowing as many as 4,700 slot-style machines at five sites would be a good deal for the tribe and region.

"This compact will be our best chance to impact our tribe's future in a significant and historic way," Nicodemus told House and Senate members.

The state gambling commission has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed agreement Feb. 9 in Olympia. The compact needs the approval of the commission, Gov. Christine Gregoire and the federal government.

Lawmakers said the proposal would be a dramatic expansion of the $1.2 billion Indian gaming industry in the state.

The Spokane tribe is the only gambling tribe that has not negotiated an agreement with the state.

State and federal officials contend that Nevada-style slot machines in the tribe's casinos are illegal.

The proposed compact "rewards illegal operations and encourages a tremendous expansion of gambling," said Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, Yakima County.

The plan is a sign of a "new and positive relationship" between the state and tribe, Nicodemus said. Casino revenues would pay for better education and health care and a diversified reservation economy, he said.

Current law allows each tribe to have a total of 675 slot-style machines. Larger tribes can increase that number by leasing machines from smaller tribes.

The proposed Spokane Tribe compact, in the works since 2005, would allow cash-fed machines, instead of requiring players to use tickets or plastic cards. It also would allow high-stakes betting at limits set by the tribe.

"I can hear it coming: 'Look what you did for the Spokanes,' " said Sen. Jim Clements, R-Selah, Yakima County, whose district includes the Yakama Tribe.