The Puyallup Tribe of Washington Sold Emerald Queen Casino Riverboat

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

• Twitter
• Email

More About John Isaac

Last updated: March 1, 2023

The Puyallup Tribe of Washington, one among the 29 tribes recognized by the federal government, had purchased a riverboat casino from Mississippi to ensure its economic stability back in 1997. The casino, famously known as the original Emerald Queen Casino, was moved to Tacoma by the tribe. Recently, the riverboat has been sold off, after serving as a symbol of economic sovereignty for the Puyallup Tribe for more than 25 years. This move mirrors the trend among several Native American communities across the US who have turned to gaming as a source of economic support.

The Puyallup Tribe’s original Emerald Queen Casino was docked at the Blair Waterway in the Port of Tacoma. After catering to the Seattle gambling market for several years, the tribe was financially stable enough to construct a new tribal casino on land.

Puyallup Tribal Council’s Statement About Emerald Queen Casino

In 2001, the new Emerald Queen Casino was opened along E. 29th St., just south of Interstate 5. The Puyallup Tribe continued to operate the original riverboat casino until 2004, when they reached an agreement with the Port of Tacoma to close it down. The closure was made to allow additional commercial development of the waterway.

As part of this agreement, Tacoma granted permission for the tribe to open another Emerald Queen Casino in Fife, which began operating on December 29, 2004. Consequently, the tribe was able to continue providing gaming services while accommodating the needs of the port and the local community.

“The riverboat served our tribe well and laid the foundation for us to open and operate the two premier casinos in the Northwest,” – noted the Puyallup Tribal Council in a statement.

Who Purchased the Riverboat?

The Puyallup Tribe has held onto its decommissioned riverboat for almost two decades since it was closed down. Recently, the boat has been sold to Spectra Crane and Marina, a Seattle-based company that specializes in leasing maritime vessels. Boyer Halverson, the owner of Spectra, revealed that there are no concrete plans yet for the former casino boat, but he suspects that he may have paid too much for it.

Despite overpaying for the boat, Halverson believes that the purchase will be worthwhile, and they can make something out of it. The vessel, which was built in 1995 by Quality Shipyard and Kehl River Boats from Louisiana, cost $15 million at the time, which is equivalent to $30 million today. The three-story boat, with a roof deck, has 70,000 square feet of interior space and can board up to 2,000 individuals at once. It was designed to resemble the traditional paddlewheel riverboats that were prominent on the Mississippi River during the 1800s.

Described as a tribute to America’s riverboating history, this Cajun vessel, born on the bayou, has the potential to become a clearwater palace and regain its former glory, whether it is docked at port or cruising down the river. The sale listing for the boat mentioned its connection to the country’s riverboat legacy, highlighting its significance. Although the asking price was $1 million, the final sale price has not been confirmed by either the tribe or Halverson.

In recent times, the Puyallup Tribe has opened its newest and most luxurious property, the Emerald Queen Casino, which is also its largest. The casino was launched in May 2020, during the pandemic. The $400 million integrated resort is located next to the previous land-based Emerald Queen Casino along I-5. With over 2,100 slots, and 60 table games, the casino is a top-of-the-line gaming destination. The will also feature a 250-seat sportsbook after the Puyallup Tribe managed to acquire sports betting approval from the federal government in 2021.