Tribal casinos switching to Vegas-style slots

TULALIP — Gamblers who pine for Las Vegas-style slots in Snohomish County will soon have their wish granted.

The slot-style machines at the Tulalip Casino, Quil Ceda Creek Casino and Angel of the Winds Casino will soon take cash, just like those in Nevada. Between now and then, gamblers won’t have to juggle between different tickets required to use machines provided by different vendors. The machines are all being updated so they can each accept any ticket.

“The guest will have a more seamless experience, just like they do anywhere outside Washington,” said Marci Fryberg, executive vice president of gaming at Tulalip Casino.

Once the machines are adjusted to accept cash directly, gamblers will have a Vegas-style experience, said Don Hegnes, director of slot operations for the Tulalip and Quil Ceda Creek casinos, both owned by the Tulalip Tribes.

Twenty-seven Washington State Indian tribes signed an agreement with state leaders last year that allows them to operate more gaming machines and raise machine bets to $20 in exchange for contributions to state gambling addiction and smoking programs, said Amy Hunter, spokeswoman for the state Gambling Commission.

That agreement also allows tribes to alter their slot-style machines to take cash directly. Since tribal casinos first opened here in 1992, gamblers have had to purchase tickets at kiosks in order to play.

It’s taken a year to implement new technology to make the changes, Fryberg said. It’s not clear exactly when the Tulalip Tribes’ slot-style machines will accept cash.

“We’re working diligently on the project and we hope to have it done soon,” she said.

Until then, gamblers at both Tulalip casinos will be able to use any ticket to play at any machine. The machines at the casinos have confused out-of-town gamblers who were forced to juggle the three types of tickets required to use machines provided by three different vendors.

All 800 machines at Quil Ceda Creek Casino now accept all three tickets. The Tulalip Casino’s 2,025 machines will accept all three tickets soon, Fryberg said.

Machines at the Angel of the Winds Casino in Arlington will accept cash within a month, said Jeff Wheatley, the casino’s director of gaming. The casino has 540 machines now, but will have 1,000 by year’s end, when an expansion that is expected to quadruple the casino’s size should be completed.

Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. In a race against the clock on the high seas, an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for the submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP)
A new movie based on OceanGate’s Titan submersible tragedy is in the works: ‘Salvaged’

MindRiot announced the film, a fictional project titled “Salvaged,” on Friday.

Craig Hess (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Sultan’s new police chief has 22 years in law enforcement

Craig Hess was sworn in Sep. 14. The Long Island-born cop was a first-responder on 9/11. He also served as Gold Bar police chief.

Cars move across Edgewater Bridge toward Everett on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edgewater Bridge redo linking Everett, Mukilteo delayed until mid-2024

The project, now with an estimated cost of $27 million, will detour West Mukilteo Boulevard foot and car traffic for a year.

Lynn Deeken, the Dean of Arts, Learning Resources & Pathways at EvCC, addresses a large gathering during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cascade Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
New EvCC learning resource center opens to students, public

Planners of the Everett Community College building hope it will encourage students to use on-campus tutoring resources.

Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman announces his retirement after 31 years of service at the Everett City Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett police chief to retire at the end of October

Chief Dan Templeman announced his retirement at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. He has been chief for nine years.

Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event  from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Boeing’s iconic Everett factory tour to resume in October

After a three-year hiatus, tours of the Boeing Company’s enormous jet assembly plant are back at Paine Field.

A memorial for a 15-year-old shot and killed last week is set up at a bus stop along Harrison Road on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Teen boy identified in fatal shooting at Everett bus stop

Bryan Tamayo-Franco, 15, was shot at a Hardeson Road bus stop earlier this month. Police arrested two suspects.

Lynnwood
Woman killed in crash on Highway 99 in Lynnwood

Police closed off Highway 99 between 188th Street SW and 196th Street SW while they investigated.

Mike Bredstrand, who is trying to get back his job with Lake Stevens Public Works, stands in front of the department’s building on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Bredstrand believes his firing in July was an unwarranted act of revenge by the city. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens worker was fired after getting court order against boss

The city has reportedly spent nearly $60,000 on attorney and arbitration fees related to Mike Bredstrand, who wants his job back.

Most Read