KIRKLAND, Wash. — The owner of casino chain, Maverick Washington LLC, intends to keep eight casinos, including Great American Casino in South Everett, open after previously announcing closure plans on November 30 that would have sent 850 workers to the unemployment line.
Eric Persson, who founded Maverick Gaming, announced he’s buying the casinos from the bankruptcy of his creditors, allowing the seven other properties in Silverdale, Yakima, Pasco, Kennewick and three more locations in Lakewood–near Tacoma–to remain open rather than closing next month.
Last week, Maverick Washington LLC noted in its lay-off paperwork announcement to the Washington State Employment Security Department that, “there could be a potential change of operator and/or owner for the site. If the site is transitioned to a new owner/operator, the above-referenced closure may not occur, or alternatively, the closure could be delayed.” One week later and Persson has made good on that caveat.
The lay-off notification with the state, known as Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, listed 133 employees at Great American Casino, located at 12715 4th Ave. W., north of 128th Street S.W. and west of I-5. The EverettPost.com has reached out to Persson and Maverick Washington LLC as well as Teamsters Local 38, which has union members employed at Maverick casinos, for a response on this development and has not received reply from the company or the union.
Founded in 2017 by gaming industry veterans Eric Persson and Justin Beltram, Maverick Gaming is a privately held regional casino operator headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. The company currently operates properties that include cardrooms, casino hotels, and restaurants across Washington, Nevada, and Colorado with an approximate total of 2,500 slot machines, 320 table games, 1,200 hotel rooms, and 30 restaurants.