The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation invested close to $43 million to construct and furnish the 12 Tribes Resort Casino near Omak, Washington. On the 16th of June 2015, a number of key Colville Business Council members got together to cut a red ribbon to celebrate the completion of the casino project and to launch operations.

The 12 Tribes Resort Casino which is named after the 12 tribes of the Colville Reservation will be officially open to the public from the 17th of June at 8 am onwards. The casino has an impressive 56,000 square foot gaming floor and a hotel which has 80 guest rooms. The casino will provide 200 full time employment opportunities and will be open to the public 24 hours a day. The casino will offer a number of popular games including live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and 500 slot machines.

Mel Tonasket, the Colville Business Council Vice Chairman has been instrumental in putting together and helping this casino plan to come to fruition. Tonasket was elected to the council way back in 1970 during a time when the unemployment rate within the tribe was as high as 87%. In a statement, Tonasket said “It makes my heart happy to see where the Colville tribe has come in just a few years.  Now, we are one of the largest employers in Okanogan County.”

The casino which is located just 45 miles south from the Canadian border is expected to stir up the nightlife in the Okanogan region. The casino will also be home to 2 full service restaurants, a sweet shop selling ice cream and deserts, a nightclub with live DJs every night and an indoor and outdoor sauna.

The tribe had earlier confirmed that it will shutdown its Okanagon Casino on Apple Way when the 12 Tribes Resort Casino goes live.