Washington Sees Major Casino Closures: 850 Workers Affected

Maverick Washington to close eight casinos 

Maverick Washington LLC is set to close eight casinos across Washington, which would put 850 people out of work on Nov. 30.

The affected casinos are Great American Casino in Everett, Chip’s Casino, Macau Casino and Palace Casino in Lakewood, All Star Casino in Silverdale, Casino Caribbean in Yakima, Crazy Moose Casino in Pasco, and Coyote Bobs Casino in Kennewick.

The company sent separate letters about each closure to Washington’s Employment Security Department. Each letter contained the following message from Maverick Washington LLC Human Resources Director Christine Wisniewski, noting that if the site finds a new owner, the casino could stay open.

“Maverick Washington LLC is currently subject to a bankruptcy proceeding and, as part of that proceeding, there could be a potential change of operator and/or owner for the site,” she stated. “If the site is transitioned to a new owner/operator, the above-referenced closure may not occur, or alternatively, the closure could be delayed. We will provide updated information to you in the event that occurs.”

Two Tukwila casinos closing Nov. 1

In early September, MyNorthwest learned that two of Maverick’s Tukwila casinos are shutting down, meaning 238 employees will lose their jobs.

Maverick Gaming filed notices with the state saying it is closing both the Great American Casino and the Riverside Casino on Interurban Avenue S. in Tukwila. Those closures are set for Nov. 1.

Kirkland-based Maverick Gaming has operated under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since last year and has closed five locations since April.

The affected workers include cashiers, bartenders, dealers, cooks, and management. Riverside Casino announced layoffs for 142 employees, while Great American Casino announced layoffs for 96 employees.

Maverick Gaming bankruptcy and earlier WA casino closures

Maverick Gaming filed for bankruptcy in July 2025 following a 2024 debt restructuring. The bankruptcy decision concurrently shuttered the Dragon Tiger Casino in Mountlake Terrace, the Palace Casino in Lakewood, the Silver Dollar in Renton, and the Roman Casino in Seattle.

“This decision follows the Washington Gaming Commissioners’ choice to shut down the centralized surveillance petition, which was intended to support Washington Cardrooms,” Maverick Gaming stated on its website. “In the decision considerations, the gaming board compared Washington cardroom casinos (15 tables) to mega casinos that attract higher volumes of traffic, impacting our operations. The lack of centralized and advanced surveillance technology, in contrast to what is available in larger establishments, has further hindered our ability to compete effectively.”

Maverick Gaming filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas, listing total liabilities and assets between $100 million and $500 million.

The company currently owns and operates 27 properties across Nevada, Washington, and Colorado, with a total of 1,800 slot machines, 350 table games, 1,020 hotel rooms, and 30 restaurants.

Maverick Gaming disclosed three separate rounds of layoffs over the summer, impacting 188 positions across its SeaTac, Bothell, and Mountlake Terrace locations.