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Washington Tribe Considers Off-Track Betting
The Yakama Nation is considering expanding its Legends Casino, south of Yakima and adding off-track betting on horseracing.
The Toppenish, Wash., tribe has been looking at several ways to expand gaming operations. Proposals have been floated to build a second casino at several sites in Washington and in Oregon.
The expansion plans being considered at Legends Casino include adding another 4,000 square feet to the main floor, as well as adding off-track betting, said casino general manager Michael Hoptowit.
"We've been talking about that for a long time, now we're getting closer", he said. "It's fair to say that we've gotten a good response from surrounding areas that say, they'd like a central location to bet on horses".
Horse racing is already approved in the tribe's gaming compact with the state, Hoptowit said. Before deciding how much room to devote to off-track betting, the tribe first needs to get a better idea of how much it would boost business.
Thunderbird Casino in Yakima is the only place in Yakima County that offers off-track betting.
Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash., transmits the races by satellite. Although the mini-casino gets only a half-percent of what is generated there from horse racing bets, the traffic is good during horse racing season, casino accountant Nancy Liersemann said.
Off-track betting is offered at about 20 sites in the state, including four tribal operations, said Chuck Potter, director of simulcasting for Emerald Downs.
Only one venue for that kind of betting is allowed in each county in the state, not including tribal casinos, he said.
Before considering the addition of off-track betting, the casino will undergo other upgrades this year to accommodate growth, Hoptowit said. An expansion at the rear of the structure will provide additional office and training space as well as a full-size employee break room, he said.
About 600 people work at the casino.
Source: BonusGambler.com Editors' Choice
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