Green light for ilani Casino Resort as Supreme Court rejects long-running appeal

bstantial legal threat hanging over the Cowlitz Indian Tribe disappeared this week as an appeal against their ownership rights of a reservation was quashed by the Supreme Court.

Their opponents - including three private landowners, the owners and operators of La Center cardrooms, the city of Vancouver, Clark County, and the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde - challenged the tribe’s right to the 152-acre plot, arguing that a federal mandate was wrongly used to award it in 2010.

The court’s decision was the last hurdle preventing the launch of the tribe’s $510 million ilani Casino Resort on the land at the end of April. Cowlitz Chairman Bill Iyall wrote in a Facebook post that they were “delighted” by the decision. “This is a triumphant moment for The Cowlitz Indian Tribe because it marks the end of a 160-year journey back to our homeland,” Iyall wrote. “The Cowlitz, the Forever People, are forever home.”

The tribe has now officially opened the new Interstate 5 interchange at Exit 16 after spending $32 million renovating it to handle the increased traffic from casino goers.

John Bockmier, a representative for the La Center cardrooms (a prominent opponent to the casino and party to the case) said they were “disappointed” with the dismissal.

“We still believe in the principles of our fight, and obviously we’re disappointed. We are going to do our best to ensure the remaining two cardrooms in La Center continue to be the number one choice for folks looking for gaming entertainment.”

Two of the four cardrooms in La Center have closed since the lawsuit began, including the New Phoenix Casino’s closure two weeks ago. In the wake of the lawsuit’s dismissal, Bockmier said the closure of New Phoenix was challenging but they were grateful for support they had received.

“We are grateful to the folks in the community — very grateful — for their support through the years on this issue,” he said.

An opening date for the new 368,000-square-foot Ilani Casino Resort has not been announced, but officials have said they hope to open this month. Last week, supporting amenities such as restaurants and shops were unveiled that will encircle its 100,000-square-foot gaming space, boasting 80 gaming tables and 2,500 slot machines.