Food & Drink
State of Play
Casinos embark on major expansions
By Rob Smith April 19, 2024
Several Indian tribes are gambling that major casino and resort expansions will capture the hearts, minds, and wallets of bettors.
The Tulalip Resort Casino just launched a 70,000-plus-square-foot expansion in addition to a major renovation of its 192,000-square-foot property. The Snoqualmie Casino is in the midst of a $400 million expansion that it says provides “an unmatched gaming and hospitality destination,” and includes a hotel and new convention, concert, and meeting spaces. It plans to open the 10-story hotel and expanded casino early next year.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe in January opened an 18-story hotel with 401 rooms, an expanded casino floor, a new spa, and a rooftop steakhouse. Additionally, the tribe has partnered with Bumbershoot producer New Rising Sun to transform the vacant Bed Bath & Beyond space in downtown Seattle into an arts and music venue.
The tribes are also touting the new jobs that come with the expansions. The Snoqualmie project, for example, provided an estimated 500 jobs during construction alone.
The American Gaming Association notes that Washington state’s 35 casinos support more than 35,000 jobs, with an economic impact of $5.39 billion.
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