Commission forwards Cowlitz compact amendment to governor
August 28, 2026 | Board Council Commission Agencies , Executive, Washington
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The Washington State Gambling Commission voted on Aug. 28 to forward a proposed amendment to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s Class‑3 gaming compact to the governor for review and execution.
Johnny Bray, Tribal Relations Advisor for the Washington State Gambling Commission, summarized the Cowlitz proposal as a package that would increase gaming‑station limits up to $1,000, create a process for higher‑limit players, enhance responsible‑gaming signage and marketing, permit designation of temporary gaming areas, and allow a TLS ticket price adjustment tied to state lottery price changes. "The proposed amendment will increase gaming station limits up to $1,000," Bray said.
Bill Isle, identifying himself as chairman of the Cowlitz, described tribal uses of gaming revenue including tuition assistance, elder supports and community donations; he said the Cowlitz Foundation has contributed more than $35,000,000 to organizations in Clark County and Washington state since 2017. Isle cited program impacts such as "1,600 fish distributions in 2026" and ongoing housing and elder‑support services funded by gaming revenues.
Commissioners asked about operational safeguards for higher‑limit players; Cowlitz presenters described multilayer vetting including property‑to‑property outreach, verification of source of funds and, where available, inter‑property exclusion databases. Representative Cloban asked how the commission would confirm whether out‑of‑state databases were available; presenters said some jurisdictions maintain shared exclusion lists and tribes coordinate informally in Washington.
A commissioner moved to forward the amendment to the governor; the motion was seconded and approved in a roll‑call vote with recorded ayes from Vice Chair Levy, Commissioner Skarffit, Commissioner Charles, Commissioner Victoria Woodard, Senator Conway, Senator Holy and Representative Clovis. The chair announced the motion passed and staff will transmit the amendment to the governor’s office.
Johnny Bray, Tribal Relations Advisor for the Washington State Gambling Commission, summarized the Cowlitz proposal as a package that would increase gaming‑station limits up to $1,000, create a process for higher‑limit players, enhance responsible‑gaming signage and marketing, permit designation of temporary gaming areas, and allow a TLS ticket price adjustment tied to state lottery price changes. "The proposed amendment will increase gaming station limits up to $1,000," Bray said.
Bill Isle, identifying himself as chairman of the Cowlitz, described tribal uses of gaming revenue including tuition assistance, elder supports and community donations; he said the Cowlitz Foundation has contributed more than $35,000,000 to organizations in Clark County and Washington state since 2017. Isle cited program impacts such as "1,600 fish distributions in 2026" and ongoing housing and elder‑support services funded by gaming revenues.
Commissioners asked about operational safeguards for higher‑limit players; Cowlitz presenters described multilayer vetting including property‑to‑property outreach, verification of source of funds and, where available, inter‑property exclusion databases. Representative Cloban asked how the commission would confirm whether out‑of‑state databases were available; presenters said some jurisdictions maintain shared exclusion lists and tribes coordinate informally in Washington.
A commissioner moved to forward the amendment to the governor; the motion was seconded and approved in a roll‑call vote with recorded ayes from Vice Chair Levy, Commissioner Skarffit, Commissioner Charles, Commissioner Victoria Woodard, Senator Conway, Senator Holy and Representative Clovis. The chair announced the motion passed and staff will transmit the amendment to the governor’s office.
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