Washington State Gambling Commission outlines compact process; public comments due Oct. 14

Washington State Gambling Commission staff told a joint legislative committee that tentative compact amendments reached with the Spokane Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation are subject to a multi-step review process that includes commission action, possible governor review and federal review by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“We didn't mention that we are accepting comments until October 14 at 5PM and that our commission meeting will take place on October 15 at 09:30AM,” Johnny Bray, Tribal Relations Advisor for the Gambling Commission, said for the record. He provided an email address for written comments: compactcomments@thewsgc.wah.gov.

Tina Griffin, the commission director, reviewed IGRA’s role in setting the negotiation framework for Class III gaming and said ex officio members may vote on compact amendments under state statute. Griffin said if the commission forwards the amendment and the governor signs, the tribe submits the amendment to the U.S. Department of the Interior; the amendment becomes effective after publication in the Federal Register.