$370m Emerald Queen Casino set to open in late 2019

In Washington state, the Puyallup Tribe presented an update on its $370m
Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) project to the Tacoma City Council on 24 July, confirming that the venue is scheduled to open in December 2019.

The 110,000 sq ft casino inside the 310,000 sq ft property, which will replace the tribe’s existing venue, will rival the size of other casinos in the Evergreen State. The development will also include a 21,000 sq ft, 2,000-seat event centre, a buffet, and a sports bar.

“You hate to say gaming is going to identify Tacoma,” said EQC general manager Frank Wright. “But gaming will identify Tacoma when you drive down the freeway and see this building all lit up with the LED boards and being beautiful.”

Following the opening of the casino, the next phase of the project will be a $65m hotel development, currently in the planning stage. Slated to include 150 to 200 rooms, the hotel will also offer a spa, a rooftop restaurant, and conference rooms. The estimated opening date is December 2020.

Tribal vice-chairman David Bean noted the casino will have a high visibility on Inter- state 5 and will draw in both the expanding Puget Sound population and travellers. “We see a growing market and demand,” he added.

Tacoma councilmember Justin Camarata said the future hotel will benefit the city, which needs more hotel room capacity to draw events to its convention centre.