Lummi Casino Shutting Down As Canadian Business Dries Up

The Lummi Casino is closing, hard hit by losses brought on by competition from expanded Canadian gaming, the tribe said Monday.

The casino was scheduled to close at 3 a.m. today, putting 238 people out of work.

The Lummi Indian Business Council voted last weekend to close the casino because of the declining Canadian market.

“There have been severe financial losses because of a reduction in customers,” casino manager Joe Mace said. “This is directly related to expanded gaming activities in British Columbia. Eighty percent of (our) customers came from Canada.”

In recent months, British Columbia has upped wager limits, approved new games and extended hours for casinos. More changes, including the addition of slot machines to casinos, are planned in Canada.

Gaming opportunities also are on the rise in Washington state.

“We’ve tried everything to make the operation successful. There just weren’t enough players to allow the business to succeed,” Mace said.