Cardroom operators in Washington State celebrated a victory last week as the Gambling Commission voted 3-2 to raise the wager limit to $400, a $100 boost and the first increase in 14 years. Cardrooms argue the new provision will allow them to offer an enhanced experience for their customers, but state tribes oppose the move.
Maverick Gaming, which owns and operates 23 of the 38 house-banked cardrooms licensed in Washington, initiated the petition for the increase. The company says it is seeking to cope with the inflation-driven rise in operating costs and level the odds of cardrooms competing with tribal casinos, where the wager limit is higher.
Maverick Gaming CEO Eric Persson expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. “Today’s vote is evidence of the professional engagement of our entire team with our regulators,” he stated, as per Washington State Standard.
Maverick Gaming CEO Eric Persson
However, the decision was not without opposition. Washington’s federally recognized tribes, whose casinos offer wager limits of $500 and higher, vehemently opposed the change. They cited a state law requiring “social card games” to primarily serve as a means to increase food and beverage sales.
The tribes argued that the increase would violate the state law, arguing card games at these establishments are only meant to act as a “commercial stimulant.” “We believe the boundaries will be gone beyond if you adopt this petition,” said Luke Esser, representing the Kalispel Tribe, at the commissioner meeting.
The petition led to exhaustive negotiations and public hearings, which resulted in the final limit of $400, down from Maverick Gaming’s initial request for $500. The debate highlighted the ongoing rivalry between tribal operators and the growing force of Maverick Gaming in the state’s gambling industry, now the owner of 23 cardrooms.
The decision to increase the wager limit was met with mixed feelings from the commissioners. Commissioner Julia Patterson, who made the motion to approve the change, acknowledged the complexity of the issue: “This is a difficult decision. It’s very divisive. I think the arguments on both sides are very compelling.”
Commissioners Bud Sizemore and Alicia Levy also supported the petition, emphasizing the Legislature’s original intent for cardrooms to exist and compete in the market. On the opposing side, Commissioners Sarah Lawson and Anders Ibsen voted against the proposal, arguing that it was not in line with the lawmakers’ original intent for such establishments.
Wager limits for house-banked cardrooms were initially set at $25 when they were legalized in 1997. The limit has undergone several increases, with the most recent one raising it to $300 in 2009. The higher limit of $400 will take effect 31 days after filing the new rule with the code reviser.
Maverick Gaming had previously sought to introduce sports betting in cardrooms to boost its business, but the activity has been limited to tribal casinos. Now, the company is challenging the state’s sports betting compacts with tribes in federal court.
Maverick Gaming currently operates 23 card rooms in Washington, with their most recent addition being the All-Star Lanes & Casino in Silverdale. All-Star features table games, poker, 40 bowling lanes, an arcade, a diner, drive-thru espresso, and full-service dining.