Spokane’s Suspicious Slot Machine Plan

The Spokane Tribe has battled with Washington State over slot machines for more than a decade. Therefore, the tribe is the only one in the state that has not managed to negotiate a slot machine compact, instead choosing to fight legal battle after legal battle to operate the machines on their own. Now, the tribe has decided to sign a compact to bring in the slot machines, and many are suspicious of their intentions.

Many legislators are questioning the compact, as they say it is not fair to the other tribes who have already negotiated for their slot machines. They also say that it opens the door for all of the other tribes to increase the number of slot machines that they operate, and the state could soon be overwhelmed by the number that would be legalized.

The tribe wants the state and federal government to allow 4,700 slot machines at five casino sites. They say that it is a good deal for the tribe and for the state. However, legislators are saying that the number of slot machines is just too many, and that the $1.2 billion gaming industry that exists would grow dramatically. They say they don’t know if this is a good deal for the state, although that many slot machines would bring in a lot of revenue.


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