Tulalip Resort Casino in Washington has completed a three-year expansion and renovation, increasing its gaming floor by 35% and introducing new amenities inspired by the culture of the Tulalip Tribes.

The project added 70,250 square feet to the property, bringing its gaming floor to 270,250 square feet. The enlarged space accommodates 400 additional slot machines, increasing the casino’s total to more than 2,600.

The Tulalip Tribes announced the development in November 2023, coinciding with the casino’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Construction began in January 2024, and the new northern section opened to visitors in July 2025. Renovations to the remaining areas continued until the casino announced the project’s completion on October 1, 2026.

According to HeraldNet.com, Marci Fryberg, president and chief operating officer of the Tulalip Gaming Organization, described the development as a major milestone.

“This is a transformative new chapter for Tulalip Resort Casino.”

Although the organisation has not disclosed the total cost, Fryberg said the work represented its largest financial commitment to gaming facilities since the property opened in 2003.

Expanded Gaming Floor Brings New Amenities

Among the most prominent additions is the redesigned Center Bar, a 38-foot-tall structure weighing approximately seven tons. Its marine-themed architecture incorporates decorative fish and lighting installations inspired by the surrounding waters.

The adjoining 3,366-square-foot lounge offers bar-top gaming and seating for up to 60 guests.

Visitors can also access the new North Bar, which serves cocktails, wine and craft beer. The venue includes a covered outdoor patio and smoking area.

The renovation updated the casino’s 4,000-square-foot high-limit slots room and several dining facilities. Another addition is Salish Sweets, a gourmet ice cream shop.

Changes extend to the property’s exterior, where the north and east entrances now feature large timber arches and decorative tribal spindle whorls. The main northern entrance faces Tulalip Amphitheatre and Seattle Premium Outlets across a landscaped courtyard.

Swinerton Construction worked alongside the casino’s internal development team, while architectural firm Rice Fergus Miller designed the expanded spaces.

Tribal Traditions Influence Casino Design

The renovated interior incorporates imagery from Tulalip Bay and the wider Pacific Northwest, drawing on the region’s natural environment to reflect the tribe’s cultural identity.

Blue lighting guides visitors through the gaming floor, while overhead decorations depict schools of fish and jellyfish. Other architectural elements reference fishing nets and coastal piers.

The colour palette uses shades of blue and grey to represent nearby waters and beaches, complemented by cream and copper tones associated with Pacific Northwest sunsets.

Jennifer Fleming, managing partner and head of the hospitality studio at Rice Fergus Miller, explained the concept.

“Just as bodies of water are layered and varied – woven through mountains, lakes, and sounds – the casino environment is shaped by a spectrum of activities, energy levels, and moments of pause,” she said in a statement. “The renovation embraces this analogy, creating a unified yet diverse gaming floor that balances excitement with intimacy.”

The Center Bar serves as the main architectural focal point, with surrounding spaces arranged to reflect the transition from open water toward the shoreline.

Former Tulalip Tribes Chair Teri Gobin welcomed the design when the expanded gaming area opened in July 2025, emphasising the importance of preserving and sharing the tribe’s traditions with future generations.

Fryberg also acknowledged the work involved in completing the project:

“We are proud of the hard work and energy everyone has put into this project and to keeping Tulalip Resort Casino as the Northwest’s most distinctive gaming, dining, meeting, entertainment, and shopping destination.”

The expansion arrives during a period of change for Washington’s casino industry. Maverick Gaming recently announced plans to repurchase eight properties previously identified for closure, including Great American Casino in Everett and several establishments elsewhere in the state.

For Tulalip Resort Casino, the completed development provides additional gaming capacity and updated hospitality facilities. The organisation reported positive guest feedback throughout construction as successive sections became available to visitors.