RIDGEFIELD, Wash. – The $510 million dollar ilani casino opened Monday morning, with a crowd of hundreds so eager to get inside, some in the crowd shouted down speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The opening backed up I-5 northbound for nine miles. The casino announced about 11 a.m. that its parking lots were full and only drop offs could be done.
Our parking lots are full. Arrivals via drop off can still be accommodated. Parking updates will be tweeted hourly.
— ilani (@ilaniresort) April 24, 2017
@KGWNews just spent hours to get to the new casino opening only to be turned away due to parking lot being full..😡
— Vicki Johnson (@Trixter64) April 24, 2017
But in the end the ribbon was cut, and the gaming began inside the 378,000-square-foot entertainment and gaming complex. About 100,000 square feet is dedicated to the gaming. There are 2500 slot machines and 75 card tables, along with other games likes craps.
In the Facebook post below, watch Sky 8 fly the backup on I-5 and arrive over the casino.
Ilani casino opening snarls trafficThe opening of the ilani casino near Ridgefield has caused a 9-mile backup on I-5 northbound. Story: http://on.kgw.com/2pejHZm Speed maps: on.kgw.com/traffic
Posted by KGW-TV on Monday, April 24, 2017
The Cowlitz Tribe spent more than a decade fighting for the right to build the casino at the north end of Ridgefield, Washington.
Cowlitz tribal member and casino project founder David Barnett said the money made at ilani will rescue his people.
“Over a thousand members are in dire need of housing, health care, prescription benefits. Things like that. They’re falling through the cracks, they’re dropping through the cracks. And that’s really what this is all about,” he said.
But what’s good for the Cowlitz and Southwest Washington may not be so good for Oregon.
Many Washington gamblers play Oregon's video poker on Hayden Island and elsewhere. Regulars like Dave Lewis think the lottery operators will feel the casino's impact.
“I think it’s going to take a lot of business from these kids here,” he said.
Oregon budget forecasters agree. The latest state economic forecast predicts the new casino will take $100 million out of the Oregon lottery when players travel to ilani instead of Oregon.
Despite concerns from some in southwest Washington over growth, traffic and security, today casino-goers traveled from near and far to celebrate ilani.
Ilani casino opening snarls trafficThe opening of the ilani casino near Ridgefield has caused a 9-mile backup on I-5 northbound. Story: http://on.kgw.com/2pejHZm Speed maps: on.kgw.com/traffic
Posted by KGW-TV on Monday, April 24, 2017
“Because I’m a gambler I’ve been looking forward [to the opening]. I’m from Oregon but I’m having fun,” said Irma Garcia.