http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1075122023165270.xml

Here's an article I found interesting in that some real numbers were offered as to Washington cardrooms. For those of you that don't know, Washington cardrooms only offer poker and cardgames (21, Carib. Stud, etc.), no roulette, craps or slots. LaCenter is a village about 20 miles north of Portland OR. and has four of these mini-casinos. This pic is of the Last Frontier and just out of the frame to the left is the New Phoenix sharing the parking lot and behind me is The Palace and the newly renamed Chips Casino sharing a building and a parking lot. From todays The Oregonian:

In fiscal 2003, the Phoenix and the Last Frontier together grossed $18 million in gambling income. That does not include income from restaurants. For the quarter that ended Sept. 30, the Last Frontier was the highest grossing of Washington's 79 cardrooms, and the New Phoenix was second. The Palace and the Double Down, now called Chips, which are owned by Michels Development based in SeaTac, were 10th and 12th most profitable.

The building pictured has about 12 poker tables which are just inside the door and to the left, straight ahead are about three tables of 21 and three Let It Ride and other carny games. The area from the chip and right is a coffee shop type eatery. Amazing what kind of money they are making from very few square feet! All four places are very pleasant places to play.

Pretty good coverage of the kinds of dynamics involved when a tribe decides to go for a casino. Appears the writer must be bout 21 or so going by the gee-whiz factor in some of the story, but like I say, good stuff nonetheless. An Indian casino at La Center in not a slam dunk. It would take much more to go into the Indian wars to tap the Portland market and the attitude of the elitist bluenose Democrats that rule Oregon and Washington... covetous of all that $$$ but really don't like Indians or gambling casinos.