Tribal gaming in the state of Washington is set to witness development in the upcoming years as the Puyallup Tribe of Indians has just announced its plans to build a brand new casino venue at a pivotal location on the Interstate 5. Emerald Queen Casino, as the new facility is going to be called is expected to elevate players gaming experience in 2019 when it is set to officially launch operation.
Native American tribes have always been known for their affinity for gaming and introducing new attractive offerings to casino patrons. Tribal casinos have a very specific feeling to them which makes the entire gaming experience an authentic one at the end of the day. Puyallup Tribe has also been known for the operation of such very distinctive casino locations in the past, but now it is time for a change and the introduction of a brand new wave of gaming to the local field.
December 2019 is set to witness the official launch of a spectacular new project managed by the Native American tribe which is expected to liven up the region and potentially attract more players to the already busy area. For the location Interstate 5 is going to be utilized at its full potential, able to draw people and make their access easier. According to the information issued regarding the project, this time the Indian tribe is going to switch things up and introduce Las Vegas-style of gaming to the general public with a neon glowing venue.
The project is estimated to cost some $370 million to its developers which would give them the opportunity to unravel its full potential and truly introduce a different kind of tribal casino experience. This Tuesday witnessed the official presentation of the project before the Tacoma City Council, bringing it one step closer to the start of construction. Casino offerings would span over a total of 110,000 square feet which will be located in the 310,000-square-foot new venue. The ultimate goal is for it to be an equal competition to other big gaming venues on a state level.
Casino Project Progresses with Announcement
LED boards are set to be installed outside the new venue which would further attract the attention of drivers passing by on Interstate 5. It is important to note that the future casino venue would also feature a fully-operating sports bar which is striving to prepare it for the potential legalization of sports wagering in the state of Washington.
Since it is set to open in December 2019, Emerald Queen Casino should brace for sports betting offerings, if the state manages to provide the appropriate regulation of the sector throughout the following months. It should be taken into account that in a previous statement made by Sixth Legislative Dist. Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane), it was mentioned that tribal casinos would be one of the main supporters of sports betting legalization and they could propel ahead work towards it.
September 2017 brought some vital amendments to the gaming compact of the tribal casino operator, as the Washington State Gambling Commission. The ultimate goal was for it to eliminate any duplication in the tribal and state regulators, clarifying crucial terms for the future Class III operation of the tribe.
Meanwhile, there is a venue operating at the location of the future Emerald Queen Casino ever since July 2002, spanning over 74,000 square feet, but it features 56 table games and some 2,005 gaming devices. Once construction work on the new casino is finalized, the said venue would be closed for business. Casino patrons of the new venue are going to have a hotel tower at their disposal, as Puyallup Tribe is currently working on a $65-million project which would be situated east of the new gaming venue.
Come 2020 the 4-star tribal hotel venue is expected to welcome its first guests in some of its 200 rooms. The tribe is not new to the integrated resort field, as it has been managing the operation of Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino in Fife since 2005. The casino floor of this resort features 35,000 square feet of gaming space, whereas the hotel tower features some 102 rooms available for booking.
