Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Opens Casino With Prayers, Ceremony

With prayers and ringing bells, the Muckleshoot Indians celebrated the formal dedication of their new casino, which has been packed nightly since it first opened its doors two weeks ago.

“I feel like I’ve waited all my life for this,” said Virginia Cross, chairwoman of the Muckleshoot Tribe.

“We are not rich, but we are no longer starving,” Cross told state and local government officials gathered for the traditional Indian blessing of the 65,000-square-foot gambling palace Friday.

Tribal elder Harold Moses said the casino has provided economic opportunities for the tribe, which in past years has faced high unemployment and poverty.

About 500 people have jobs there, from dealing blackjack to cooking in the restaurant, and the casino is expected to employ more than 700 people within a couple of months.

Of the 26 federally recognized tribes in this state, the Muckleshoots are generally thought to have one of the best locations for a casino. Already, the facility is drawing gamblers who used to visit tribal casinos on the Olympic Peninsula.

Gamblers are expected to drop $80 million to $100 million here annually, and the casino is expected to bring in about $3 million a year in profits to the 1,200-member tribe.