OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has reached a tentative agreement with the Squaxin Island Tribe on an amendment to its Class III gaming compact. The proposed seventh amendment is a restatement of its original compact signed in 1993, incorporating amendments 1 through 6.
“The proposed amendment modernizes the existing compact by adopting a balanced approach that supports economic development, regulatory consistency, and public health and safety,” said Washington State Gambling Commission Chairperson Alicia Levy. “The added safeguards and community-focused commitments strengthen responsible gaming requirements.”
“The tribe is pleased to have reached agreement with the Washington State Gambling Commission on a modernized gaming compact,” said Tribal Chairman Kris Peters. “The compact continues to be a key source of funding for essential government services and employment, benefitting both tribal and community members.”
The major changes in the proposed amendment includes some provisions that already exist in other tribal compacts, replaces contributions with updated provisions, and adds new provisions that don’t exist in other tribes’ compacts, including:
- Adds a framework for electronic table games at the tribe’s gaming facility consistent with other tribal compacts.
- Adds extension of credit consistent with other tribal compacts.
- Removes per facility limits consistent with other tribal compacts.
- Allows $30 wagers on tribal lottery system player terminals consistent with other tribal compacts.
- Allows table games in operation to offer up to $1,000 wagers and limited tables can offer up to $5,000 wagers after customer screening.
- Clarifies the tribe’s commitment to the community through support to emergency services, government, and non-profit/charitable organizations.
- Adds a non-smoking room requirement if smoking is allowed in the gaming facility.
- Enhances responsible gaming provisions on training, self-exclusion, responsible gaming signage and posting, and self-imposed limits.
Formal notification regarding the proposed compact amendment has been provided to the Governor, Legislature, and other relevant parties. The Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, followed by a public hearing before the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The Gambling Commission is expected to vote on the proposed amendment at its public meeting on February 12, 2026, at which time it will determine whether to forward the amendment to the Governor. If the Commission votes to do so, the amendment will be sent to the Tribal Chair for final consideration and signature, after which it will be submitted to the Governor for final review and signature. Upon execution by both the Tribal Chair and the Governor, the tribe will transmit the amendment to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior for consideration, signature, and publication in the Federal Register.
