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8 Washington Casinos Set to Close as Maverick Gaming Cuts 850 Jobs

By jili tutorial · October 3, 2026

The Situation: A Major Restructuring Under Bankruptcy

Maverick Gaming, the embattled non-tribal casino operator in Washington state, is pressing ahead with a drastic restructuring plan. The company has formally notified state authorities of its intention to close eight additional cardrooms—a move that could eliminate 850 jobs. The filings, submitted under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act on Monday, September 28, schedule the closures to take effect on November 30.

A Closer Look at the Affected Properties

The list of venues marked for shutdown represents a significant geographic spread across the state and cuts deep into Maverick’s operating footprint.

Not a Foregone Conclusion

It is critical to note that the WARN notices include an important caveat. Maverick stated explicitly that the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process could result in new owners or operators stepping in to take over some of these properties. If a buyer emerges during the proceedings, the affected cardrooms may avoid shutdown entirely. This adds a layer of uncertainty for the 850 workers currently watching their jobs hang in the balance.

A Growing Trail of Closures

This latest wave is part of a much broader downsizing.

Taken together, the company’s recent cuts total more than 1,400 displaced workers in just a few months.

Industry Analysis: The Perfect Storm

To understand how Maverick arrived at this point, one must examine the convergence of an aggressive market bet, a sweeping legislative shift, and punishing economic headwinds.

The Aggressive Expansion (2018–2019)

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in Murphy v. NCAA—a landmark decision that effectively ended the federal ban on sports betting and opened the door for states to legalize it.

Maverick saw a golden opportunity. The company went on an unprecedented acquisition spree across Washington state, buying up 24 cardroom venues—including 19 in 2019 alone—and instantly becoming the largest non-tribal gaming operator in the state. The entire strategy was a bet that Washington lawmakers would eventually legalize commercial sports betting.

The Legislative Setback (2020)

That bet failed. Instead of expanding the market, Washington state passed a law in 2020 that granted a market monopoly to tribal casinos. Mobile wagering was permitted almost exclusively on tribal lands, effectively shutting out commercial operators like Maverick from the most anticipated growth sector.

Recognizing the existential threat, Maverick sued both the state of Washington and the federal government in 2022, arguing that the tribal exclusivity created an unconstitutional monopoly. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, leaving Maverick without a legal remedy and fully exposed to the new regulatory landscape.

The Economic Squeeze

Trapped in a restricted market and carrying the weight of its rapid expansion, Maverick’s financial vulnerabilities became acute.

Bankruptcy Mechanics: The Road Ahead

Maverick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2025, a process that allows a company to restructure its debts while continuing to operate under court supervision. In its initial filing, Maverick estimated both its assets and liabilities as falling between $100 million and $500 million.

The Asset Sale Proposal

As part of its restructuring plan, Maverick has proposed selling a collection of its casino, hotel, and gaming technology assets to various buyers. The combined sale price for these assets is estimated to be around $65.8 million. This sale is central to the company’s plan to repay creditors and emerge from bankruptcy.

An Ongoing Saga

The Palace Casino in Lakewood illustrates the drawn-out, uncertain nature of this process. It was originally slated for closure during the initial bankruptcy filing in July 2025 but managed to remain open. It is now officially back on the list of eight venues facing a November shutdown.

The coming weeks will determine whether these properties find new life under different ownership or become the latest casualties of one of the most dramatic reversals in the Washington gaming industry.