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• President & General Manager Kara Fox-LaRose has 24 years of experience in the casino and hospitality industry, including many high-profile roles. Currently, Fox-LaRose is the President and General Manager of ilani in Ridgefield, Washington, where she is responsible for the overall directional planning and operational results of the property.
• Ilani, Ridgefield, Washington. 88K likes 932 talking about this 94,517 were here. Ilani includes 2,500 slots and 75 gaming tables, 15 bars, restaurants and retail outlets.

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The ilani Casino Resort (/eɪˈlæneɪ/ay-LAN-ay)^[1] is a casino operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and located near La Center, Washington. The casino opened on April 24, 2017, after a lengthy legal battle over the tribe's right to establish a reservation to build the casino on.^[2]

History[edit]

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe was formally recognized by the U.S. federal government on February 14, 2000,^[3] consisting of 3,700 members but lacking an Indian reservation.^[4] In the 2000s, the newly recognized Cowlitz Tribe began planning for a casino and hotel complex on trust lands near La Center to bring in revenue.^[4]

The Cowlitz Tribe were granted a gambling license by the National Indian Gaming Commission in 2005.^[5] In 2013, the Cowlitz Tribe were granted the rights to establish a 152-acre (62 ha) reservation near La Center along Interstate 5, which would be home to a casino pending local approval.^[4] The reservation was formally established in March 2015, allowing for construction to begin after the resolution of an ongoing lawsuit in federal courts.^[6]

In December 2015, the Cowlitz Tribe announced that it had entered into a financing agreement with the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, owners of the Mohegan Sun mega-casino, to fund the project's $510 million cost.^[7] Members of the Cowlitz tribe broke ground on the casino on February 14, 2016, along with local politicians and representatives from the Mohegan Tribe.^[8] The casino was named 'Ilani' in June 2016, using the Cowlitz word for 'sing'.^[9]

The casino opened on April 24, 2017, filling its 3,000-stall parking lot and causing a 8-mile-long (13 km) line of traffic on Interstate 5 reaching Vancouver.^[10][11] An estimated 15,000 people attended the casino's opening day.^[12] The casino expanded its dining options and opened a new ballroom and business meeting center in 2018.^[13] A convenience store and gas station opened at Cowlitz Crossing near the casino site in 2019.^[14]

As part of the casino's construction, a freeway interchange on Interstate 5 was reconstructed at a cost of $32 million.^[15]

Controversy and lawsuit[edit]

The Ilani Casino Resort was built near the town of La Center, which had relied heavily on gambling taxes since the late 1980s.^[16] The owners of the four casinos in La Center were opposed to the Cowlitz Tribe's proposal to build a competing casino, also arguing that the new casino and reservation was too far from the tribe's historic lands near modern-day Kelso.^[17] One of the three remaining La Center cardrooms, the 25-year-old New Phoenix, closed a month before the Ilani opened, citing reduced sales, lost staff and traffic impacts from highway construction associated with the casino's construction.^[18][19] The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, owners of the Spirit Mountain Casino near Salem, Oregon, also opposed the construction of the casino over fears of an estimated $100 million in lost revenue.^[20][21]

On January 31, 2011, shortly after the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the Cowlitz Tribe's application for the land trust, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. to appeal the decision. The lawsuit concerned the 2009 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in Carcieri v. Salazar that forbid the federal government from taking land into trust for tribes recognized after the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934.^[22] The plaintiffs in the lawsuit included the City of Vancouver, Clark County, the owners of the La Center cardrooms, local landowners, and a group known as 'Citizens Against Reservation Shopping'.^[23] A separate lawsuit was filed on February 1, 2011, by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, arguing that the aboriginal and modern territory of the Cowlitz was further north, while the Grand Ronde had stronger connections to the Clark County region.^[23]

U.S. District Court judge Barbara J. Rothstein ruled in the Cowlitz Tribe's favor on December 11, 2014, upholding the rights for the tribe to establish a reservation and build a casino. Rothstein ruled that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior had the authority to take land into trust for the Cowlitz Tribe, citing the phrasing of the 2009 Carcieri decision that did not include the word 'recognized'.^[24]

An appeal was filed by the plaintiffs, but the ruling was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals in July 2016.^[25] Vancouver and Clark County immediately ended their involvement in the lawsuit,^[21] followed by the Grand Ronde in October,^[26] leaving Citizens Against Reservation Shopping and the La Center casinos as the remaining litigants in their appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal in early April 2017, ending the legal battle over the Ilani Casino Resort shortly before its scheduled opening.^[2]

Facilities[edit]

The 368,000-square-foot (34,200 m²), $510 million Ilani Casino Resort is located on Interstate 5, approximately 25 miles (40 km) north of Portland, Oregon. It has 2,500 slot machines, 75 table games, a 2,500-seat performance venue, and several bars and stores. It is projected to attract 4.5 million visitors annually and bring $200 million to the Cowlitz Tribe.^[27] The casino opened with 15 restaurants,^[27] including a 300-seat Michael Jordan's Steakhouse.^[28] A 30,000 square feet (2,800 m²) events center opened in April 2018, with the ability to host conventions, trade shows, and concerts.^[29]

The casino's architect and interior designer is Friedmutter Group, a Las Vegas-based firm specializing in gambling projects.^[30] Ilani is expected to employ 800 to 1,200 people.^[31] Long-term plans for the casino include the construction of a hotel and parking garage on the site.^[27] A new tribal administration office, smoke shop, and gas station will also be built adjacent to the resort.^[32]

References[edit]

1. ^Luck, Marissa (February 7, 2017). 'Ilani casino construction progresses, hundreds of employees hired'. The Daily News. Longview, Washington. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
2. ^ ^abBrynelson, Troy (April 3, 2017). 'Supreme Court denies hearing for casino case'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
3. ^'Final Determination of the Recognition of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe'(PDF) (Press release). Bureau of Indian Affairs. February 14, 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
4. ^ ^abcRice, Stephanie (December 25, 2010). 'Landless Cowlitz Tribe to get reservation'. The Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
5. ^Daly, Matthew (November 25, 2005). 'Gambling license approved for Cowlitz casino'. The Seattle Times. p. B2. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
6. ^Fischer, Amy (March 9, 2015). 'Cowlitz Tribe gets reservation near La Center'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
7. ^Fischer, Amy (December 8, 2015). 'Cowlitz Tribe secures financing for casino near La Center'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
8. ^Mathieu, Stevie (February 14, 2016). 'Cowlitz Tribe celebrates homecoming, casino'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
9. ^Gillespie, Emily (June 20, 2016). 'Cowlitz Tribe reveals name for casino: ilani'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
10. ^Njus, Elliot (April 24, 2017). 'Ilani Casino hits parking capacity on opening day, clogs I-5 for miles'. The Oregonian. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
11. ^Oliver, Gordon (April 24, 2017). 'Ilani Casino opens its doors, attracting thousands'. The Oregonian. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
12. ^Brynelson, Troy (April 25, 2017). 'Traffic quiets for Ilani's second day'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
13. ^Brettman, Allan; Macuk, Anthony (April 21, 2019). 'Two years in, Ilani owners still have a winning hand'. The Columbian. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
14. ^Macuk, Anthony (April 22, 2019). 'Cowlitz Crossing gas station, convenience store opens near Ilani'. The Columbian. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
15. ^Solomon, Molly (April 4, 2017). 'With New I-5 Exit Complete, Cowlitz Tribe Ready For Casino'. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
16. ^Caldbick, John (August 21, 2010). 'La Center — Thumbnail History'. HistoryLink. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
17. ^Jean Green, Sara (February 27, 2008). 'History and money color casino fight'. The Seattle Times. p. A1. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
18. ^Pitawanich, Christine (March 28, 2017). 'Longtime La Center card room closes as new casino gets ready to open'. KGW 8 News. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
19. ^Brynelson, Troy (March 23, 2017). 'La Center's New Phoenix Casino closing'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
20. ^Tims, Dana (June 25, 2016). 'Cowlitz casino on track, still stirring controversy'. The Oregonian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
21. ^ ^abJohnson, Brooks (August 21, 2016). 'Grand Ronde gamble on challenge to Ilani'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
22. ^Rice, Stephanie (January 13, 2011). 'County will fight Cowlitz casino ruling'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
23. ^ ^abRice, Stephanie (March 20, 2011). 'La Center casino a high-stakes case'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
24. ^Rice, Stephanie (December 11, 2014). 'Federal judge rules in favor of Cowlitz'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
25. ^Johnson, Brooks (July 29, 2016). 'Cowlitz Tribe wins federal appeal'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
26. ^Rhodes, Dean (October 27, 2016). 'Grand Ronde ends legal challenges to Cowlitz Reservation'. Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
27. ^ ^abcOliver, Gordon (February 17, 2017). 'Clark County's Ilani Casino betting on big crowds as opening nears'. The Oregonian. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
28. ^Oliver, Gordon (April 21, 2017). 'Ilani Casino opening: 6 things you need to know'. The Oregonian. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
29. ^Brynelson, Troy (April 5, 2018). 'Ilani Casino's concert, convention venue opens'. The Columbian. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
30. ^Fischer, December 11, 2015. 'Cowlitz reveal new details about casino'. The Columbian. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
31. ^'Frequently Asked Questions'. Ilani Resort Casino. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
32. ^Luck, Marissa (November 26, 2017). 'Ilani casino sparks change, growth in first six months'. The Daily News. Retrieved June 14, 2018.

1 Cowlitz Way
Ridgefield, WA 98642

(877) GO.ILANI
(877) 464-5164

'ilani' means 'to sing' in the Cowlitz language.

The casino is one of seven managed and finanaced by Mohawk Gaming and Entertainment, headquartered in Connecticut.

The ilani Casino Resort opened on April 24, 2017 after many years of legal battles with opposition groups. The casino is located off Interstate 5 Exit 16, near La Center about 20 miles north of Vancouver, Washington.

News Headlines

History

&In February 2016 the Cowlitz Tribe broke ground for their new $510 million casino. Construction was completed in early 2017 and the grand opening was celebrated April 24, 2017.

The Cowlitz Tribe was a landless tribe awaiting approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to take 152 acres of land into federal trust. The land is located at La Center's I-5 interchange in Clark County, Washington.

Federal approval was finally granted December 23, 2010 making the land a sovereign reservation for the Cowlitz tribal government, housing, and economic opportunities. This included the tribe's plan to construct a resort casino as described below. Federal support for this project was reconfirmed Oct. 5, 2012.

The first phase of this construction on this $510 million project was the two-story casino which is now finished. An eight-story hotel will be built in a later phase.

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Gaming

Open 24 hours daily
100,000 square-foot gaming space
Minimum gambling age 21 years or older

Slot machines

2,500 slots
Penny slots to five dollar machines

Table games

75 gaming tables
Includes Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Craps, Texas Hold'em

Smoke-free Gaming Area

32,000 square feet
1,159 slot machines
12 table games

FUTURE EXPANSION PLAN

Open 24 hours daily
75,000 square-foot additional casino floor
368,000 total square-foot facility
Minimum gambling age 21 years or older
3,000 slot machines
135 gaming tables
20 poker tables

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Restaurants & Bars

Chef Jet
i.talia Restaurant
Line & Lure Restaurant
Longhouse
Michael Jordan's Steak House
Rose & Thorn
Smashburger
Taco Cantina
Tom's Urban
Starbuckss

Entertainment

Ballroom

This $20 million balllroom opened in April 2018. It offers 22,000 square feet to accomodate 2,500 guests as a concert venue or 800 guests as a banquet hall. The ballroom is the largest in Clark County.

Hotel

Second Phase Construction - 250 guest rooms, eight stories

Convention and entertainment facilities

Retail Stores

260,000 square feet for shopping
Cowlitz Trading Post
Marshall Rousso
Ruby Blue

RV Park

Parking Structure (Future)

2,600 vehicle spaces

This will be a 6-story structure built next to the casino with a covered walkway connecting to the main entrance of the casino.

Construction will start in July 2019 and be completed in late summer 2020.

Cowlitz Crossing

Fuel And Convenience Store
31801 NW 31st Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

The fuel station dispenses gasoline and diesel for cars and trucks and ethanol-free gas for boats.

The convenience store sells the typical traveler amenities plus local ice cream, locally-roasted coffee, nitro-brewed coffee and the ilani-brand wine.

News Articles

Six Washington Casinos win 2020 Best of Gaming Awards

October 5, 2020

Six tibal casinos in Washington State were named winners in this year's Best of Gaming Awards in the Native American Northwest. First place awards went to Ilani Casino for Best Casino, The Point Casino & Hotel for Best Hotel, and The Skagit Casino Resort for Best Overall Gaming Resort.

This is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Best of Gaming Awards, which are presented to the top U.S. casinos and hotels by Casino Player Magazine.

2020 BEST OF GAMING AWARDS
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BEST OVERALL GAMING RESORT

1. The Skagit Casino Resort

2. Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel

BEST HOTEL

1. The Point Casino & Hotel

Ilani Casino Restaurants

2. The Skagit Casino Resort

BEST CASINO

1. Ilani Casino

2. Snoqualmie Casino

3. Tulalip Resort Casino

For the complete list of categories and winners in the 2020 Best of Gaming Awards, visit Casino Player Magazine.

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ilani Casino Resort reopened today May 28

May 28, 2020

After shutting down operations on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ilani has reopened today at 10 AM. Enhanced safety protocols include temperature checks at entry, reduced restaurant tables for distancing, fewer gaming machines. and Plexiglas barriers at gaming tables and customer service.

A posting on the ilani website states:

'To commemorate the reopening of ilani, leaders of ilani and the Cowlitz Tribe will gather outside for a blessing ceremony led by Tanna Engdahl, tribal spiritual leader at 10:00am on Thursday, May 28th and the public is invited to join. To maintain the health and safety of all ilani staff and guests, new protocols will be in place, adhering to guidelines established by the Centers of Disease Control and Washington health authorities.'

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ilani will complete parking garage, then start hotel

February 14, 2020

Construction of ilani's new, six-story parking structure is proceeding on time and has reached its halfway mark. When finished in late summer or early fall, this state-of-the-art parking garage will provide 2,600 parking spaces and capacity to add another 4,000 spaces in the future. A covered walkway will connect to the northwest entrance to the casino.

After construction of the parking garage is completed, the next project will be a 300-room hotel.

Cowlitz Tribe Chairman Bill Iyall wrote in the latest Cowlitz Tribal Newsletter, 'After completing the parking garage in the fall of 2020, we plan to move to the groundbreaking for the ilani Hotel - a 4-star hotel with 300 rooms, conference facilities, and with additional restaurants.'

No further information or timeline regarding the hotel has been released by the tribe.

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ilani Celebrates 2nd Anniversary and the Opening of Cowlitz Crossing

April 24, 2019

ilani Casino celebrated its two-year anniversary on Wednesday. Its opening day was April 24, 2017.

In celebration of the event casino offered special promotions and memorabilia gifts to its guests. Leaders of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe also made two announcements about ongoing changes:

• Cowlitz Crossing Grand Opening
  The Cowlitz Crossing opened today on the anniversary date of the casinos. It is a fueling station and convenience store located nearby at 31801 NW 31st Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642.
  The fuel station sells gasoline, ethanol-free gas and diesel. The convenience store stocks standard items you would expect to find plus local ice cream, coffee and ilani wine.

• New Parking Garage
  Construction will begin this July on a 5-story parking stucture with 2,600 vehicle parking spaces. It will be completed in late summer of next year.

ilani Casino Resort continues in a master planning phase. Future expansion project may include a hotel, a Cowlitz Indian Cultural Center and a new tribal headquarters.

The most recent addition was the Cowlitz Ballroom which opened in April last year. It is a 22,000-square-foot addition that provides a 2,500-person concert venue or an 800-guest banquet hall. The balllroom cost $20 million and is the largest in Clark County.

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ilani to build gas station, convenience store

September 05, 2018

Groundbreaking was held for the new gas station and convenience store that will be located near the ilani Casino Resort. On Thursday the ceremony was held. The casino resort is operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe near La Center, Washington.

During the ceremony members of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and casino resort leadership were present.

There will be between 18 and 24 gas pumps. 22 parking spaces. The convenience store will be two floors with an atrium.

The store will offer drinks, tobacco, and some grocery items. Customers will also be able to purchase hot food. The store is planning on offering sandwiches and friend chicken.

The new gas station and convenience store is scheduled to be completed by the end of Spring next year.

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UPDATE: ilani Casino opened its Entertainment Center April 5th

Ilani Casino Covid

February 14, 2018

In April the ilani Casino Resort is scheduled to open the new meeting and entertainment center. This is also the time the casino will be celebrating the one year anniversary.

The announcement about the opening was made on February 5.

The newly expanded area consists of 30,000 square feet. The Cowlitz Ballroom is 22,000 square feet. It can be made into different size rooms to accommodate different sized events. For concerts the ballroom can seat 2,500 people. It can also be used for banquets. In that configuration, the room can accommodate 800 guests. Smaller events can also be held there. The room can be divided.

The location in the building allows for guests to enter the room directly without needing to walk into the casino area.

Events held there will have access to full catering services, sound, and lighting.

Attracting more entertainment was one of the reasons behind the expansion project. The tribe is interested in providing guests with performers that are nationally known.

Along with the new entertainment center opening, the amount of traffic it will bring is a concern. To offset the issues, the road will be improved. An additional 400 parking spaces will also be added.

They expect traffic to be heaviest during the grand opening of the center. Then Thursday to Monday.

The ilani Casino Resort has been in operation for close to a year. The casino has plans to continue growing and expanding in the future.

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News Headlines Continued

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