SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Supporters of a bill to expand sports gambling in Washington state beyond Indian casinos and into privately-owned card rooms across say the measure would increase job and tax revenues.
But opponents contended such an expansion would take money from tribes who use the casino revenues to fund their operations and social programs.
Rebecca George, director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association, said it would be irresponsible for the Legislature to allow sports betting to the benefit of out-of-state people.
A Senate bill seeks to expand sports betting to include the state’s licensed card rooms and horse race tracks and is being pushed by Nevada-based Maverick Gaming.