Tri-Cities Could Get First Tribal Casino

Washington betting is completely governed by local Native-American tribes. They have the sole right to offer legal betting markets — both in casino and sports.

Tribes (there are multiple in the state) have created casinos up and down the state — except in one area. The Tri-Cities area, which is made of the cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, has yet to join the fun. However, there are some plans to change that. Keep on reading and we’ll tell you about the idea to create the region’s first casino.

Inside The Proposed Tri-City Casino

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are the ones behind the proposal. They want to develop a large-scale casino and entertainment complex in the Pasco area. The proposed project includes a casino, a 200-room hotel, an event center, and multiple restaurants.

The Colville’s attempt to establish an off-reservation casino has been in motion since 2019 when the tribe purchased 160 acres of land near Highway 395 for $2.9 million. The goal is to expand economic opportunities for tribal members by tapping into the growing Tri-Cities market. Plus, using that casino revenue to fund other tribal initiatives, of course.

However, gaining approval for a casino outside reservation boundaries requires a rigorous federal process. The tribe initiated the “fee-to-trust” application in 2023, a necessary step to have the land placed into federal trust for gaming purposes. A public hearing held in April 2024 allowed local officials, business leaders, and rival tribes to weigh in on the potential impacts of the project.

Despite strong local interest, the approval process stalled when the BIA failed to release its EIS scoping report as expected in mid-2024. The report was later pushed to the end of the year, but as of early 2025, it remains unpublished. The agency cited the transition to a new presidential administration as a reason for the delay.

Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson noted that while the tribe had hoped for a 2024 decision, they were not entirely surprised by the setback as there were other gaming applications ahead of them, and yes, the change in administration played a factor too. He now anticipates the report will be released sometime in 2025, though the exact timeline remains uncertain.

Opposition from Rival Tribes Grows

While the Colville Tribes see their casino project as an opportunity for economic expansion, not everyone is on board, including other “rival” tribes. The Yakama Nation and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation have strongly opposed the Pasco casino, arguing that the Colville have no historical claim to the area — yes, things are personal here.

The Yakama Nation, in particular, asserts that Pasco falls within its ceded lands under the 1855 treaty and has suggested that the Colville abandon their plans and sell the property to them instead. The Umatilla Tribes share similar concerns, citing potential economic damage to their existing casino operations.

Both tribes currently run major gaming enterprises in the region — Wildhorse Casino & Resort in Pendleton, Oregon, and Legends Casino & Hotel in Toppenish, Washington. They argue that a new casino in the Tri-Cities could siphon away customers and hurt tribal revenues that fund essential services such as healthcare, education, and housing.

During the public hearing last year, representatives from both tribes warned that approving an off-reservation casino could set a precedent leading to further tribal conflicts over land and gaming rights. One speaker even warned that allowing the Colville’s proposal to move forward could start an “Indian war.” Things got testy at the meeting, let’s just put it that way!

Despite the strong opposition, Erickson remains focused on the Colville’s long-term vision. He stated that there has been no recent communication with the other tribes and does not expect that to change. In other words, the war is on.

Washington has more than 30 tribal casinos, many from different groups. It’s one of the most diverse tribal betting markets — not that far behind of California and Oklahoma betting.

Economic Potential for the Tri-Cities

Enough talk about the approval process and tribal back-and-forth. Let’s talk about money now. How much could this casino add to the local economy? Welp, the project promises to create hundreds of jobs, both in construction and permanent positions in gaming, hospitality, and entertainment.

Local businesses could also see an influx of visitors, as the casino would likely attract tourists from across Washington and Oregon. With a planned event center and hotel, the development could position Pasco as a regional hub for conventions, concerts, and large-scale gatherings.

City and port officials in Pasco have largely welcomed the project, seeing it as an opportunity to boost economic activity. However, without federal approval, all plans remain in limbo.

Where Do We Go From Here?

For now, the Colville Tribes are waiting on the BIA to release the delayed environmental report. Once published, the report will outline the potential impacts of the casino, including traffic congestion, environmental concerns, and economic effects on surrounding businesses and communities.

If the report is favorable, the tribe could move forward with finalizing its plans and securing additional approvals. However, if it raises significant concerns, the process could drag on even longer, potentially forcing the tribe to adjust its proposal.

While the timeline remains murky, one thing is clear: the Colville Tribes are not backing down. Despite delays and opposition, they remain committed to seeing their casino project through, believing it will ultimately provide long-term benefits for their people and the broader Tri-Cities community.