Angel of the Winds Casino Resort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angel of the Winds Casino Resort |
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Address | 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane Arlington, Washington, US |
Opening date | October 28, 2004 |
Casino type | Indian |
Owner | Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians |
Renovated in | 2008, 2015 |
Coordinates | 48°12′52″N 122°11′05″W / 48.21444°N 122.18472°W |
The Angel of the Winds Casino Resort is a fun place with games and a hotel. It is run by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. This resort is located near Arlington, Washington, in the United States. It first opened its doors in 2004. Later, in 2015, a hotel with 125 rooms was added.
Contents
History of Angel of the Winds Casino Resort
How the Stillaguamish Tribe Started the Casino
The Stillaguamish Tribe is a Native American group. They signed an important agreement called the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855. In 1976, the U.S. government officially recognized them as a tribe. This recognition helped them gain more rights and support.
For a while, the tribe had limited ways to earn money. In 2002, they decided to build a casino. This was possible because of a new state law about tribal gaming. The tribe chose a spot on their own land near Interstate 5.
Some people living nearby were worried. They thought the casino might cause more traffic. They also worried it would change the quiet, rural feel of the area. The tribe worked to address these concerns.
Building and Opening the Casino
The first plan for the casino was quite big. It was going to cost about $36 million. There were some delays in getting the money needed for the project.
In 2004, a bank helped with a $19 million loan. This allowed the project to move forward. The casino was named "Angel of the Winds." It was designed to be a temporary place at first. The tribe planned to build a bigger, permanent casino later.
The Angel of the Winds Casino opened on October 28, 2004. It had 425 slot machines and 10 to 12 game tables. These are games where people can play for fun and prizes. The casino quickly became popular. In its first full year, it earned almost $30 million for the Stillaguamish Tribe. This money helped the tribe support its community.
Growing and Expanding the Resort
The casino grew bigger over time. In December 2008, a large expansion was finished. This project cost $44 million. It increased the number of slot machines to 1,000. The inside space grew to 57,000 square feet.
Another expansion happened in January 2015. This one cost $27 million. It added a five-story hotel with 125 rooms. This meant visitors could stay overnight at the resort. The land around the casino became the official reservation for the Stillaguamish Tribe. The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved this in 2014.
In 2017, the Stillaguamish Tribe made a special deal. They paid $3.4 million to have the Angel of the Winds Arena named after them. This arena is a sports and event center in Everett.
Recent Updates and Future Plans
In 2018, the casino announced even more plans for growth. They planned a $60 million expansion. This would add 300,000 square feet of new space. It includes more gaming areas and a new restaurant. A large parking garage for 575 cars was also part of the plan.
The first part of this expansion opened in September 2019. It included a larger gaming floor and a new bar. Later, a bowling alley was added. An 8,800 square foot events center also opened. This center can host different gatherings and shows.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the casino closed for two months. It was one of the first casinos in Western Washington to reopen. When it reopened on May 13, 2020, it had new safety rules. These included checking temperatures and limiting how many people could be inside.