Las Vegas headquartered Maverick Gaming has voiced its support for a fully regulated and taxed land-based and mobile sports betting system in Washington State. Legislation HB 2478 and SB 6277 would make land-based and mobile sports betting available to tribal casinos, racetracks, and licensed card rooms across the state.
The bills have been sponsored in the State House by Representative Vick and in the State Senate by Senators King and Rivers.
Co-Founder and CEO Eric Persson commented: “Maverick Gaming employs 2,200 people in 19 licensed card rooms across Washington, and we are committed to creating an environment that is fun and safe for our guests, while also implementing system-wide self-exclusion policies to reduce problem gambling.
“Legal sports betting will give lawmakers the opportunity to create a regulated system that collects tax revenues that should be used to address community needs, supports a strong sustainable workforce, and provides economic opportunity in this growing global market. Critically, regulated, legal sports betting has the dual benefit of undermining offshore criminal networks which currently profit from the unregulated and unsafe system.
“I look forward to working with Washington’s elected leaders, Tribal Government Leaders, community stakeholders, and all interested parties regarding the merits of this proposed legislation.”
In a statement, Maverick said that legalizing sports betting in Washington would empower state regulators to regulate the industry, collect tax revenue for community needs and help support public safety by providing a vetted, monitored, licensed and responsible option for those interested in sports betting.
It noted: “Maverick Gaming strongly supports the pillars set forth by the Washington State Gambling Commission to help guide policy making for the legalization of sports betting: licensing and regulation, agency funding for effective regulation, combating money laundering and strict criminal enforcement, sport and gambling integrity, responsible and problem gambling.”
The firm currently operates card rooms in Washington located from Kirkland to Tukwila to Lakewood to Kennewick and in total operates 26 casinos across three states. It said it intends to invest $500m in acquisitions of licensed card rooms and other entertainment developments across the state.