IN a major blow to gamblers – and hundreds of casino staffers – a pair of betting houses are slated to close permanently two months from today.
The impending closures come on the heels of their parent company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing last summer.
The two casinos on the chopping block for November 1 are the Great American Casino and the Riverside Casino, giving gamblers just weeks to enjoy the table games.
Both are in Tukwila, Washington, a suburban city located immediately south of Seattle.
They are owned by casino operator Maverick Gaming, which runs roughly two dozen casinos across Nevada, Washington, and Colorado.
The company filed WARN notices with the state of Washington on Monday regarding the two casino shutdowns in Tukwila.
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The notices indicated that 238 workers at the Great American Casino and the Riverside Casino would lose their jobs.
This included 142 employees at Riverside Casino and 96 at Great American Casino, spanning roles from cashiers and bartenders to dealers, cooks, and management.
Maverick Gaming filed for bankruptcy last July following a 2024 debt restructuring.
“The decision to initiate this court-supervised process follows a strategic review of Maverick’s capital structure and operations,” the company shared in a press release.
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It listed total liabilities and assets between $100 million and $500 million in its bankruptcy filing.
Prior to the filing, Maverick Gaming had already shut down a handful of Washington casinos earlier in the year.
This included the Dragon Tiger Casino in Mountlake Terrace, the Palace Casino in Lakewood, the Silver Dollar in Renton, and the Roman Casino in Seattle.
The company pointed to high operational costs, competitive pressure from tribal gaming, and surveillance compliance burdens as some of the main factors pushing the closures.
Maverick Gaming has closed five locations since April, and now, more shutters are on the horizon in November.
With the additional closures on the way, the gaming company is seeking to keep its remaining properties operating as it continues to restructure.
“Maverick Gaming’s properties remain open and operational, and the company is continuing to deliver the same high-quality gaming and hospitality experience that customers have come to expect,” the company shared at the time of its bankruptcy filing.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat