Puyallup Tribe Gets Ok For Casino

Gov. Mike Lowry on Tuesday signed a gaming compact that allows the Puyallup Indian Tribe to continue with plans to build a casino next to Interstate 5 in Tacoma.

If the compact meets final approval from the federal Interior Department as expected, the Puyallups plan to build their casino on some prime real estate. By some estimates, the location could help the tribe net as much as $50 million a year from the operation.

Tribal leaders have talked about building a 69,000-square-foot facility, although talks lately have focused on the prospects of putting the games on a boat that would be docked on tribal land along the Puyallup River.

Tribal officials say the casino will bring in money to replace dwindling federal aid and will let the tribe expand social and educational programs and encourage economic development.