Snoqualmie Casino an impressive sight
September 11, 2008
By Ed Farrell
Entertainment center plans to open in two months with lots of amenities
Ka-ching!
With its grand opening less than two months away, the sound of money is growing louder every day on a hillside just outside Snoqualmie.The Snoqualmie Tribe’s Entertainment Authority last week granted a handful of media a rare insider glimpse of the Snoqualmie Casino, offering a first-hand preview as to what exactly $375 million can buy and create.
The casino — and a future hotel/resort addition — represent what is hoped to be the premier gambling destination of eastern King County.
“Welcome to Sno Vegas,” offered Matt Gallagher, vice president of marketing for the casino, as he led the knot of journalists through the dusty threshold of the 170,000-square-foot extravaganza.
Inside the lavish doors: A sea of slot machines – 1,700 to be exact – languishing beneath sheets of plastic to protect them from the still-ongoing interior work.
As captivating as the modern no-arm bandits are, it is the interior of the spacious building that captures, and holds, the eye; breathtaking woodwork everywhere, huge open 60-foot ceilings, massive exposed beams, modernistic lighting and exquisite details such as polished granite railings, that almost force out a gasp from an onlooker with their luxury.
The grandness of scale is surprising as the entire facility, including a six-story parking structure, is completely invisible from the SE North Bend Way entrance.
With crews feverishly laboring away, Gallagher has a quick and usually witty answer ready for any question.
A query about a vaguely fountain-shaped apparition near the front of the casino sparks a typically optimistic response from Gallagher: “I haven’t seen the design yet, but it will be spectacular,” the long-time casino veteran offers.
“Are those beams individual pieces of wood or just built to look that way?” is answered with a smile and, “One or the other, I’m sure.”
Gallagher boasts that the casino’s 400-spot valet garage – “complimentary, of course” — located upgrade from the casino proper, will be staffed by “the best conditioned valet parkers around.”
Like many tribal-owned gaming halls, the Snoqualmie Casino will allow patrons to smoke while gambling, but an elaborate ventilation system will ensure, Gallagher said, “there is plenty of fresh air” available for several designated non-smoking areas, including one cavernous slot area, a poker room and all restaurants.
For those wishing to indulge in tobacco, the casino will offer The Lit, a spacious cigar lounge, with walk-in humidor, that will offer a full range of fine stogies – no Cubans, however; not even a sovereign nation can import Cuban cigars – and high-end cognac.
Next up is a small retail area that will feature casino-related merchandise, as well an offering of arts and crafts wares produced by tribal members.
The Box Car Deli will help gamers dampen the edge with a quick hoagie, or a few steps farther will put a diner square in the middle of the Falls Buffet, which promises 400 seats of the best eating to be found on the Eastside, including what Gallagher called “live action stations,” where guests can watch their meal being prepared right before their eyes.
With one solid wall of nothing but glass and the most spectacular view of Mount Si, Club Sno will host both live music and DJs only steps away from the Vegas-style gaming table areas.
The Kindai Sushi and Noodle Bar will specialize in “very high-end, very high quality, made-to-order” cuisine, Gallagher said, as the group made its way to the cavernous Ballroom, which will host top live entertainment and sporting events such as boxing.
Jessica Simpson, in her first Seattle-area concert in four years, will be the first headline entertainer to perform in concert on Friday, Nov. 7.
In its concert configuration, the Ballroom is designed to host 890 customers, with what Gallagher promised to be “not a bad seat in the house.”
Construction and entertainment booking are not the only activities underway at the casino.
In at least one of the flotilla of trailers on the jobsite, training is underway for dealers and other workers that will make up the estimated 1,300-member casino workforce.
More than 700 have already been hired, Gallagher said.
Applications are available online at www.casinosnoqualmie.com.
All of which, Gallagher said, is designed to provide guests with the ultimate entertainment experience.
“We know that not everybody gambles,” he said, “so we set out to create something here with all the amenities right here on the Eastside.”
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27 Responses to “Snoqualmie Casino an impressive sight”
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Unfortunately, the fact that a higher percentage of Indians are smokers seems to hold sway over those in charge of operating Indian casinos. If they’re trying to attract Indian patrons then allowing smoking may make sense. But the smoking permitted policy assures them a much smaller number of non Indian, non smoker, (but often higher income) customers. The chance that we non smokers will visit this new place is eliminated by the smoking policy, regardless of how attractive they try to make the place. Simply prohibiting smoking would have attracted more customers than millions of dollars worth of fancy “design,” but the Indian owners never seem to understand this basic fact.
The NON smoking building at the Muckleshoot casino in Auburn is the best thing I’ve ever come across. I’ll give the Snoqualmie casino a try and if the smoke is too much to handle I spend my money at the Muckleshoot.
The only place left for smoker’s to enjoy themselves are the Indian Casino’s. There is always a non-smoking section. Smoker’s are tired of being discriminated against. Make your own choice. One thing I hate is to sit next to someone that keeps complaining about the smoke, when they have their own section to gamble in. Get over it.
Where are the tickets available for Jessica Simpson Show.
Smoke is not bad for you, its only bad for your lungs, otherwise if you breath it you can get a good feeling, especially when you are sitting next to others who are actually smoking and killing their own lungs. when i am at the casino and someone smoking falls on the floor due to their smoking iam going to grab all their chips!
I’ve been to most of the Casinos and Resort Casinos in Las Vegas in the last 20 years and to this date has not yet been matched by it splendor, glamour, high-tech innovations and service excellence. In fact, you can still smell your cologne after a couple of hours in the midst of the spacious gaming area. In my experience, there are three areas the Indian Casinos, no matter how big or new, need to focus on – Cleanliness in their restrooms, Customer Service (specifically in their table games; trainers and pit bosses need to stay in Vegas for a few days and learn a few things about customer satisfaction) , and Excellent Ventilation. Other than that, I would not mind spending or may I say donating a few dollars several times a year to the local business.
Get over it non-smokers. I cant believe you guys (non smokers) are writing a comment to complain that their allowing smoking when you should really comment about the casino in general. If smoking is such a big problem for you then maybe you should go to the smaller casinos. Yet I bet you go to Vegas every chance you get, but the smoking there doesnt seem to bother you. Your lucky Washington is a Democratic State full of people TOO damn, down to earth. So stop wasting your time about the stupid smoking, and get happy that there opening a nice and big casino thats the closest thing to Vegas.
Don’t forget not too long ago smokers were allowed to smoke anywhere, including restaurants, so if there’s anyone here to complain it should be the smokers.
IM HOOKED!!!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CASINO. I JUST HOPE THAT THE ONLY LAS VEGAS STYLE SHOWBAND IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM THERE. WE WOULD BE TRULY HORNORED.
I think it is great that government can’t interfer in the rights of the Indians to have smoking in their club. Smoking was introduced by Indians and while I don’t smoke, I think it is anti-constitutional to tell a propietor of any business that smokers aren’t allowed in their establishment. That should be the owners policy if they so chose. The Indian casinos are a tribute to the business skills of the local Indian Tribes. Non- Smokers shouldn’t go there if they are so disgruntled by its odor. That is their right too. Don’t foist off their Liberal , anti-constitutional foibles onto the rest of us. PAP
So the casino just had a preview for the tribal members, me being one of them, and it was beautiful. the smoking in there wasn’t even noticealbe and I normally can’t stand the smell. Instead of complaining when you haven’t even been there yet, maybe you should at least go in and give it a chance.
What was the reasoning behind opening the casino on Thurs. Nov. 6th. @ 10:00pm?
Is it possible to sign up for players card membership on line?
we plan to go to the casino on Fri. Nov. 7th.
Congratulations on bringing this project to completion!
We were looking forward to attending the opening on Thursday at 10 p.m. until we heard today on the news that the freeway would be gridlocked and 30,000 were expected for the opening (how do they know that?) What are your daytime hours?
I think it is funny how the Snoqualmie Casino has 3 bars in it. Most of that tribe has a drinking problem. The proceeds from that casino should go to treat there board members and enrollments drug and alcohol problem. This statement is way too funny (The Indian casinos are a tribute to the business skills of the local Indian Tribes) this tribe has no skills unless you call scamming there people and lying to the government about there enrollment to get recognized. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at monroelonghouse@aol.com
at what cost to the people of this tribe was this casino built ? how many marriages went down the tubes becauce of all the late nights. because of over ambitish members who stabbed each other in the back to get there. and the biggest laugh is by the time the investers are paid off these greedy people will be dead
You gotta love the nicotine junkies who whine about no place to smoke any more and that the casino’s are one of the very few places to go. Its the number one reason why I don’t patronize casino’s. The little nook they give the non-smokers to be in is an insult . I guess that invisable wall is suppose to be a barrier. Go for it smokers.
Saturday mid-day, the buffet line was incredible and slow would be an understatement, we gave up. We went to the coffee shop and were told only omelettes were available and those were up to an hour wait. The noodle shop was supposed to be open at 11:00, the hostess at noon there said they would be open soon, but only serving chicken and port ramen, nothing else. We left. We will wait some months until they have a chance to iron out issues before we return.
You really gotta be kidding! My wife, her sister, aunt and niece went up there Sunday and never won a dime!! These are four die-hard casino gamblers who came back home and said NEVER AGAIN. Apparently you don’t understand how casino openings go. You LOOSEN the slots up to draw them in, and then tighten them up after you have them hooked. If you’re still loosing money after a couple days of the Grand Opening—- you call it quits. Even though I usually do good at these casinos (for the VERY few times I show up), I’d really rather go to Nevada where they know how to do business…. and I have a MUCH better shake at it. This casino didn’t even have food —-RAN OUT!! Pathetic!!! There WON’T be any lines to get in there shortly. My guess is that the slots will get EVEN tighter with NO WINNERS AT ALL IN THE END RUN. Gamblers beware— you’re going to lose your money at this one.
im a smoker and hate the smell too (before u judge me look in the mirror and judge youself first)…. the ventilation is great. non smokers start smokin and smokers enjoi the priviledge while u can.
I checked out the casino with several of my neighbors (who all make six figures plus and live less than three miles away) tonight and we all came away with the same impression. Beautiful facility, might come by a couple times a year for a change of pace, we all are just disgusted by all the smokers. My clothes all smell like crap now! The smoking is just horrible. At one time cave men were allowed to rape and molest women and children at will, but things changed as we advanced and evolved. Smoking is for the “trailer park” crowd, hopefully they can keep this business going for the tribe. All of my friends will keep heading into Bellevue or Seattle to enjoy nightlife with the more “civilized” crowd. Be real, only losers smoke cigarettes anymore.
Went there Sat. Nov. 15-having been in the travel industry for 35 years I look at things differently. Beautiful building and setting-slots were paying off. Smoke was awful-nonsmoking area not posted well. Would like to see a Keno lounge. Buffet was over priced for what you got–nothing compared to the Muckleshoots-sorry. Parking was not good, got to the 4th floor to park and everyone was walking away, I finally noticed a sign stating the elevators were slow–VERY slow. So we used Valet parking. Employees were friendly-but needs to take care of some of the above items mentioned to compete with other Casinos in are.
We drove almost 90 miles to come to your Casino this last Saturday, such a beautiful place being ruined by cigarette and cigar smoke. We could barely find a space that wasn’t smoky. I should suggest you have non smoking section in your Casino. I have noticed all the other complaints you have gotten. Beleive me smokers are a minority, and you have lost our business . I will be telling all my non smoking friends about the health hazzard at your new beautiful casino.
The 3 elevators are not sufficient for the size of the establishment. We spent a ridicules amount of time getting back to our car.
Sincerely,
Dennis and Catherine Salisbury
Very nice appearance to casino, great customer service.. yes I’m a non smoker, but smoke usually doesn’t bother me… but I have say it, I have been there twice
now and both times my eyes were burning from the smoke… even in Vegas and Reno the ventilation takes care of the smoke..its not happening here..oh yes
lets get these tribal casino’s to start paying taxes..
I didnt even see a “non-smoking” section that I could go to?! While playing I didnt notice the smoke smell when playing slots but when I came home my hair and clothes smelled gross! I dont have trouble with smokers smoking, but many are messy with their asshes, trash from packs and ash trays. I dont appreciate sitting at a machine with ash on the chair and machine. The entrance to the casino is wierd and inconvient for self park patrons. Couldnt even get food on Friday afternoon during the grand opening, hope they fix that problem. Also getting water or a soft drink was impossible. Not sure if and when Ill ever go back.
Beautiful casino which I think will do well. What some of your writers don’t understand is that when you open a business it takes time to get the kinks out. Some think it just happens overnight. Their wrong. Ask any successful businessman or woman how long it took them??
For those who complain about the smoke, there are areas in the casino where you won’t smell the smoke as much as you think. If you go to Las Vegas, then you should not complain about the smoke. It’s in EVERY casino in Las Vegas.
Good Luck Snoqualmie!
I had a free $15 cash coupon and went over to use it.. They wouldn’t cash it because my name wasn’t matching. it was a junk mail coupon mailed to my house… It was quite ridiculous that there was not one comp that could give me or honor the coupon. They didnt care and was rather let -down.
I left and will be writing a letter. They lost a good potential customer. It wasn’t about the money but the principle.
hi
i just wanted to tell you i enjoy the things you are doing , i loved the bbq you had and also my friend was very impresed with the lovevly casino ,
thank you i hope you will have another bbq this summer , it was very- very good
the best ribs i had for a long time ,
it was a lot of fun
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
INGA
I heard that there is overnight accomadations at the casino. We are thinking of coming to see Rodney Carrington. In Nov. do you have a Hotel if so what kind of packages do you offer.