For Fourth Straight Year, ilani Named Top Casino Resort in the Northwest

Since the Cowlitz Indian Tribe opened ilani Casino Resort near La Center, Washington on April 24, 2017, it has been named Top Casino in the Northwest by Casino Player Magazine every year, and 2020 was no exception. The magazine again honored ilani with its Editor’s Choice for Best Casino in its Best of Native Northwest section.

“We’re grateful and humbled and excited by the continued recognition for the great work done by many,” Kara Fox-LaRose, president and general manager of ilani told Clark County Today, adding that ilani Casino has won more than 100 awards since it opened. “When we began this project, we had a very simple mission: Aspire to be the best in the Northwest in our industry.”

Ilani Casino Resort also earned first place recognition for best table games, best reel slots, and best non-smoking casino. It was also awarded first place for best players club, best VIP services, best comps, best video poker, and best carnival games. Ilani Casino also took six second place wins and one third place award.

“We take our mission … very seriously,” Fox-LaRose said. “ We have a lot of passion in what we do. I have an amazing team. We’re always pushing harder to do more and be better. One of the core values in our company: to continually strive for perfection.”

Now, ilani Casino Resort is looking to the future. Next up, is the opening of a parking garage scheduled for November and the possibility of a hotel, which would cater to out-of-town guests.

“There are a lot of exciting things happening,” Fox-LaRose said. “A lot of potential for the Cowlitz Tribe reservation, with 150 acres to consider for future development.”

She told Clark County Today that a plan for a hotel has not yet been finalized but does anticipate that to be a next step since it would help expand ilani Casino Resort’s market reach.