Angel of the Winds Casino to Expand

ARLINGTON, Washington – as reported by Everett Daily Herald: ‘The Stillaguamish Tribe is planning to cash in some of its chips to pay for expanding its Angel of the Winds Casino.

“During the 14 months since the casino opened, the tribe has made enough money to secure loans that could double the casino's size, adding 50 percent more video slot machines and a bigger restaurant, said Dave Seufert, the casino's general manager.

“…Details have not been finalized, but he expects the project to cost between $4 million and $6 million.

 “After the expansion is completed, the casino could end up with close to 45,000 square feet, Seufert said. No construction schedule has been set, he said.

“…The casino now has 455 video slot machines, many of the popular penny variety. By building onto the casino's west end, as many as 200 more slots could be added, Seufert said.

“The building also will grow on its north side, where a new buffet-style restaurant would be built. Katie's Kitchen, the casino's restaurant now, is more of a snack bar than a sit-down dinner place, Seufert said.

“The news of expansion did not come as a surprise to Ken Childress, one of many neighbors who opposed putting the casino near their rural neighborhood in the first place. He said tribal leaders had always wanted a bigger casino.

“‘All I can say about it is, yea; I'm glad it's taken them more time and cost them more money,’ Childress said.

“Despite the hard feelings, Childress said many neighbors have learned to live with the casino nearby.

“…With the expansion, the tribe would be close to the state's maximum of 675 video slot machines per tribe. Any future expansions would require the tribe to make deals with tribes that don't have casinos to use their slot allotments."