If you’re in the Seattle area and looking for something fun to do, Muckleshoot Casino is a great place to grab something to eat and test your luck at the tables and slot machines. Located a little over 30 miles south of Seattle in the City of Auburn, Muckleshoot is owned and operated by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. They opened their doors to the public in April of 1995 and continue to be one of the premier destination spots today. There are plenty of games, restaurants, a brand new sportsbook, and a variety of entertainment options for guests to enjoy at Muckleshoot Casino. Let’s take a look at everything they have to offer.
The Casino Floor:
Known for their claim as being, “the biggest and best in the Northwest”, Muckleshoot Casino offers over 3,000 video gaming machines on their combined gaming floor. I say combined because it’s the only casino in Washington that has two separate (yet connected) buildings one each for patrons that prefer a smoking or non-smoking option while gambling.
For slot players, the bets can be as low as a single penny and all the way up to a maximum bet of $20 per deal. Muckleshoot has all the latest slot games and themes, along with property-wide progressive that are consistently building up into five figures jackpots.
If slots aren’t really your jam, take a seat at one of Muckleshoot’s many tables. They offer classic games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and craps. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, try your hand at Spanish 21 (blackjack variant), WPT Heads Up Hold’em, or High Card Flush. If you’re a big time action junkie and feeling lucky, take a look at some of the side bets Muckleshoot offers. They don’t hit as often, but when they do, the payouts are a lot bigger! Bets can be as low as $5 and up to a table max of $500.
Muckleshoot offers a more private table game room for those looking for higher limits. The game choices are limited to blackjack and baccarat and the tables aren’t always staffed especially if it’s a slower weekday. You’ll want to work with one of the casino hosts or a floor supervisor if you’re wanting to open a table up in the high limit room.
The Sportsbook:
With Washington State having legalized sports betting at the Tribal casinos, Muckleshoot has partnered up with Caesars Sportsbook to bring their patrons sports betting action. You can place bets at one of their four betting windows or kiosks located both in and just outside of the sportsbook. One downside about Muckleshoot’s sportsbook is that both their windows and kiosks are closed at 11:00 PM daily. So if you’re looking to make some bets on your favorite teams, be sure to get there before they shut things down for the day.
The sportsbook has over 20 big-screen TV’s all throughout the room, as well as a dynamic 12’ by 24’ video wall that can show up to four different games, or have a main feature. They also offer food and drinks with tableside service so no need to get up or go anywhere. Several dedicated servers work the room, taking your order, and bringing your food right to your table.
Muckleshoot Rewards:
Muckleshoot Casino, like all other casinos, has a player’s rewards club. It’s called Muckleshoot Rewards and they recently implemented a tier system that provides their players different levels of access and complementaries based on their play.
Muckleshoot Rewards Tier Levels:
- Pine (0 – 3,999 Tier Points)
- Cedar (4,000 – 79,999 Tier Points)
- Juniper (80,000 – 999,999 Tier Points)
Membership at the Muckleshoot Rewards Club is free for everyone. Here’s an overview of their player’s club perks.
Muckleshoot Rewards Member Benefits:
| Pine | Cedar | Juniper | |
| Access to player portal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Play: 300 points = $1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Points to food: 300 points = $1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Points to cash: 600 points = $1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Points to fuel: 600 points = $1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible for monthly rewards mailer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible for direct mail offers & invites | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible for gifting program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dining discounts (when paid in full with points) | NA | 20% Discount | 50% Discount |
| Eligible for priority seating (select restaurants) | NA | NA | Yes |
| Additional 25% base points on video gaming machine play | NA | NA | Yes |
| Eligible for annual cash rebate on tracked video gaming machine play | NA | NA | Yes |
The Buffet and Restaurants:
The Muckleshoot Buffet was an unfortunate casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic. The space has been renovated and a new restaurant has taken its place.
8:
If you’re at Muckleshoot Casino and looking for some Asian food, 8 is the spot for you. They have a variety of dishes from Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam on the menu. The Maine lobster is flown in fresh on a weekly basis and you can choose the one you want! The Peking Duck is a must but you better be extra hungry or be dining with others as it’s quite a lot of food. Along with a variety of Asian style meats, rice, and noodle dishes you won’t be disappointed with this restaurant.
Muckleshoot Restaurant:
Taking over for the buffet is Muckleshoot Restaurant. This classic cafe/diner spot is perfect for a casual meal. The menu boasts a large selection and variety of American foods regardless of whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For breakfast there’s plenty of options that include eggs, breakfast meats, and items from the griddle. Grab a sandwich, burger, or salad for lunch. If you’re there for a weekend dinner, you have to try the salmon that’s prepared in the traditional Muckleshoot methods. They use alder wood and cook fresh locally sourced salmon over low heat and smoke.
Caesars Sportsbook At Muckleshoot:
The Muckleshoot sportsbook is the perfect spot to put a little money on a game, watch it on the big screen, and take in some good food and drinks. The menu has flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, and burgers along with my favorite, cake donuts for dessert.
Pizza:
Pizza is the perfect spot to grab a quick snack in between rolls at the craps table or shuffles at the blackjack table. They serve a variety of New York style pizza by the slice, as well as whole pizzas. The Pissaladiere specialty pizza is one of my favorites. Beyond pizza, I always love a good meatball sub.
The Deli:
The Deli is located just beyond the sportsbook and in Muckleshoot’s food court along with two other restaurants. It’s open 24/7 and serves up an all day breakfast menu, and has a solid selection of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and other appetizers available between 11:00 AM and 11:00 PM.
Baja Fresh:
Another restaurant located back in the food court, Baja Fresh provides patrons with a quick and easy option for Mexican food. You can go with the build your own burrito, bowl, or taco option or try the a la carte menu featuring a variety of tacos, quesadillas, or other Mexican sides.
Manchu WOK:
The final food option at the food court is Manchu WOK. There’s a variety of pre-made Asian inspired foods that you can choose from if you go with the combo dishes that come with either rice or noodles, or try one of the WOK boxes if you’re wanting to take your food on the go.
Sweet Shoppe:
Not exactly a restaurant but I couldn’t leave this sweet spot out. Stop in for hand scooped ice cream, a smoothie, specialty coffee, milkshakes, or anything sweet. They’ve likely got it in the shop.
Entertainment:
Muckleshoot Casino offers a variety of entertainment options each month. They have regular and new local performers come through and perform at the Galaxy nightclub, as well as bigger names in the industry like Paul Anka, Cheap Trick, MMA, and UFC at the Muckleshoot Events Center. Check out the entertainment calendar here for more information.
The Hotel:
Muckleshoot is in the process of finishing the build on their new 18-story resort tower. As of late December 2022, 95% of the glass was attached to the structure, and the final steel beam was locked in place in August earlier that year. It will be the tallest structure between Seattle and Tacoma, and will feature a brand new steakhouse on its rooftop with both indoor and outdoor dining.
There will also be an indoor pool that opens up into an outdoor structure when good weather permits and a 5,500 square foot spa as a part of the amenities of the new resort. The tower is projected to be completed in the fall of 2023 and will include a couple more dining choices for guests to enjoy.
If you’re looking to visit Muckleshoot and stay and play for a few nights, you’ll need to find some accommodations nearby. Here are three choices all within a 15 minute drive from Muckleshoot.
Best Western Plus Mountain View Auburn Inn:
This casual and relaxed hotel offers free breakfast, parking, area shuttle service, and an indoor pool with a hot tub. There’s free wi-fi and each room comes with a 42” flat-screen TV, a microwave, minifridge, and coffeemaker. If you need something a little bigger, there’s suite options available that have separate living rooms with pull-out sofas. Both the fitness center and business center are open 24/7.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Auburn Downtown:
Only 3 miles from Muckleshoot Casino is the Downtown Auburn Holiday Inn Express. This is your best and nicest option out of the three as Holiday Inn Express hotels hold to a solid standard when it comes to cleanliness, service, and price. Each room has a microwave, minifridge, and a Keurig coffee maker, as well as a flat-screen TV and free w-fi. Hotel amenities and complementaries also include a breakfast buffet, parking, an indoor pool, a gym, meeting rooms, and guest laundry facilities (not free).
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Auburn:
Coming in just after Holiday Inn Express is La Quinta Inn. A more modern hotel that features free wi-fi, flat-screen TV, microwaves, minifridges, and coffeemakers in each room. If you opt for a suite, each one comes with a kitchen, and some have whirlpool tubs, living rooms, and/or sofabeds. Complimentary amenities include parking, breakfast buffet, an indoor pool, a fitness room, a business center, a hot tub, and a convenience store with a lobby lounge.
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