OLYMPIA, Wash — Owners and employees of non-tribal cardrooms told Washington state lawmakers that allowing sports betting in their establishments would be good for business, and for the state.
“It creates a lot of family-wage jobs that are needed during this pandemic,” said Maverick Gaming owner Eric Persson. “It creates a lot of tax dollars that are needed both of the state and very importantly, at the local level.”
The legislators this year are considering allowing sports betting at cardrooms, one year after allowing it in tribal casinos.
If the bill passes, non-tribal cardrooms that wanted to offer sports betting would have to pay a $100,000 license. Betting could only happen on the premises, and revenues would be taxed 10%. A similar bill died last year.
Persson thought the move would generate nearly 200 new employees at his 19 locations across the state.
Betting on sports is expected to happen in tribal casinos later this year, according to the state’s gambling commission.
The Washington Indian Gaming Commission opposes allowing sports betting at non-tribal cardrooms.
“This irresponsible legislation seeks to allow sports betting into every community in Washington,” said commission executive director Rebecca George.
George also told state senators that casinos are one of the only sources of revenue for tribes.
”If passed, this legislation would cause real and lasting harm to the tribes and to the state’s economy,” George said. “It would also undermine the safe and deliberate framework that the state and the tribes have developed carefully over the last 30 years.”