FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 21, 2022
CONTACT: Aaron Pickus, aaron@pickuscommunications.com
Maverick Gaming Expands to 22 card rooms in Washington, purchasing four new properties
Maverick Gaming expands bet on Washington, demonstrating long-term commitment to state’s success
A market leader in Washington’s responsible gaming industry, Maverick Gaming invests additional $80.475 million in local jobs, economy
KIRKLAND, WA – Maverick Gaming LLC (“Maverick” or “Maverick Gaming”) today announced they closed on the purchase of four Washington State card rooms: Chips Casino in Lakewood, Goldies Casino in Shoreline, Palace Casino in Lakewood and Riverside Casino in Tukwila. Maverick today received regulatory approval from the Washington State Gambling Commission for its acquisition of Evergreen Gaming Corporation, which previously owned the properties. A full list of Maverick Gaming locations may be found online.
“Strategically this acquisition is crucial to Maverick’s continued dominance in Washington State. We expect there to be enormous consolidation as well as operational and marketing benefits to our company as a result of this transaction. Maverick will move swiftly to integrate these two companies in all aspects, and we expect to see benefits from this purchase by January,” said Eric Persson, CEO of Maverick Gaming.
Unlike Tribal-owned casino resorts, local card rooms are typically neighborhood based entertainment options that include a restaurant and a bar, and a maximum of 15 tables for card games only. The acquisitions bring the total number of Maverick Gaming locations in Washington to 22 card rooms across the state. In accordance with Maverick Gaming’s existing labor contract with Teamsters Local 117, team members at the properties who are new to Maverick Gaming will enter into the same bargaining unit, growing Maverick’s union workforce by approximately 518 team members – Maverick’s total workforce is currently projected to grow by approximately 684 team members. The acquisitions announced today represent an additional $80.475 million investment in local communities in our state.
While Tribal casinos are the most recognized in Washington, Maverick Gaming properties are modest, neighborhood options for a game or a bite to eat that is close to home – customers typically live within two miles. Despite their smaller size, fees paid to the Washington State Gambling Commission by non-Tribal card rooms like Maverick’s fund critical services for upholding the integrity and safety of Washington’s regulated gaming industry. In the 2019-2020 legislative session, the State Legislature chose to create a Tribal-only marketplace for sports betting, but Maverick Gaming continues to advocate for a system that can responsibly allow sports betting at all regulated gaming properties in Washington to help combat the illicit marketplace for sports betting, create a new source of tax revenue for critical public services and spur economic opportunity for all.
As a result of this transaction, Maverick Gaming will own thirty-one casinos, hotels and manufacturing companies across Washington, Nevada and Colorado.
Maverick Gaming assets include over 360 Tables, 2700 Slot Machines, 1300 Hotel Rooms, 50 restaurants and approximately 3500 team members. Maverick’s debt is rated BBB- by Moody’s and S&P and is super majority owned by Eric Persson and COO Justin Beltram who collectively have over 40 years’ experience in gaming, including 16 years at Las Vegas Sands the world’s largest gaming company by market cap.
For investor questions, please contact Jeff Seery at JS@maverickgaming.com
About Maverick Gaming
Maverick Gaming™, based in Kirkland, Washington, is a young, responsible gaming company with over 3,000 dedicated team members. Maverick Gaming owns and operates a portfolio of 31 properties across Nevada, Washington, and Colorado with over 1,800 slot machines, 350 table games, 1,020 hotel rooms, and 30 restaurants. Maverick Gaming is a proud employer of Teamsters Local 117 workers at its Washington locations as part of its commitment to providing sustainable, family-wage jobs that support economic opportunity in local communities.
Founded in 2017 by industry veterans Eric Persson and Justin Beltram, Maverick Gaming™ takes a bold approach to a classic pastime. With an all-star leadership team from some of the largest gaming brands spanning markets the world, Maverick is dedicated to delivering the best possible gaming experiences for every kind of player while enforcing strict problem gambling policies as a community partner. Created by gamblers, for gamblers.
About Maverick Cares
Maverick Gaming’s investments benefit local governments and communities where it operates. Founded in late 2019, Maverick Cares is an employee-led ‘good neighbor’ program that partners with other community-based organizations to support people in need, an effort made even more critical during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Maverick’s commitments extend to its philosophy on responsible gambling. Maverick’s ‘self-exclusion’ policy gives self-identified problem gamblers opportunity to avoid risking their wallets and their well-being by restricting access to its card rooms from problem gamblers. Maverick Gaming founder Eric Persson is from Hoquiam, Washington. His company is named for his son, Maverick.
To learn more about Maverick Gaming, please visit its website.
