In 2004, the Cowlitz Tribe of the State of Washington announced plans to build a mega casino with the Mohegan Tribe from Connecticut in La Center, Washington, approximately 16 miles north of Portland, Oregon. The Mohegan's currently operate the 2nd largest casino in the nation and their planned La Center casino will be on the same scale. On November 23, 2005, the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the Tribes' "gaming ordinance," a critical step in the tribal casino approval process.
So the threat from Washington is real. The final decision on the La Center Casino would be made in 2010.
Oregon must respond. If Oregon does not have an answer to the La Center Casino it will lose thousands jobs; over $20 million in income, local property and occupancy taxes; and $186 million annually for k-12 public education and other vital local services.
It is not a question of whether there will be a gaming establishment in the Portland area. There will be. The question is, will Oregon protect its borders and stop the flow of millions of dollars across the river?
Oregonians can respond. The best answer to the economic threat from Washington is to vote for our two ballot measures in the November 2010 general election. The approval of the measures will authorize a World Class Resort Casino and Entertainment Center at the former Multnomah Kennel Club in Wood Village, Oregon.