State, Lummis Reach Compact On Casino

Past differences over gambling on the Lummi Indian reservation have been resolved and the tribe and state gambling officials have agreed on a compact that would allow the tribe to expand gambling at its casino near Bellingham.

“This is an important agreement. It’s a real opportunity for the tribe and state to now work together,” said Frank Miller, director of the Washington State Gambling Commission, who helped negotiate the pact.

Lummi tribal Chairman Henry Cagey said Tuesday the compact would allow his tribe to be more competitive with other tribes that have opened casinos in the state, especially those along the Interstate 5 corridor.

“We are pleased to have finally negotiated this agreement,” Cagey said. “There has been a deep level of frustration with the state over the last few years. It reached a point where we had to file a lawsuit. I just hope the agreement is approved.”

After a hearing and review by legislative committees in the House and Senate, the Lummi compact will require the approval of the full Gambling Commission and the governor.

If it is approved, the tribe will drop a federal lawsuit against the state and remove machine games the state has objected to.

In 1983, the Lummis briefly operated 24 blackjack tables in a reservation gymnasium. But the state objected, and a federal prosecutor persuaded a judge to shut the gambling down.

Under the compact, the tribe will be able to offer such games as craps and roulette, and could raise betting limits from the current $100 to $500. The higher limits help attract gamblers from Canada, where betting limits are lower.

Since 1991, the Lummis have operated a casino in a converted fishing-boat warehouse on their reservation in Whatcom County. The casino was grandfathered under the 1988 federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.