Governor to decide fate of proposed $400 million casino in Spokane suburb

 


AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee has the final say on whether the Spokane Tribe of Indians can build a big casino resort complex in a suburb of Spokane.

The federal government has approved the off-reservation project, but it is strongly opposed by many Spokane business leaders and by the Kalispel Tribe, which already operates a lucrative casino in Airway Heights.

The governor's office says Inslee is weeks, if not months away, from making his decision.

The Spokane Tribe is using the time to ready a case for building the $400 million casino resort, which it predicts will support 5,000 jobs and provide a major economic boost to the impoverished tribe.