June 18, 2025

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Photos: Inside The Cowlitz Tribe's Casino, Ilani

The Cowlitz Tribe invited members of the media to tour its casino, Ilani, which is expected to be completed in time for a spring 2017 opening.

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The Cowlitz Tribe unveiled the name of their casino, Ilani, at an event Monday, June 20, 2016. The $500 million dollar project is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs when it opens in spring 2017. — 1 of 8
The Cowlitz Tribe unveiled the name of their casino, Ilani, at an event Monday, June 20, 2016. The $500 million dollar project is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs when it opens in spring 2017.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

Kara Fox-LaRose, president and general manager of Illani, says the Cowlitz Tribe's casino will feature 15 different restaurants. — 2 of 8
Kara Fox-LaRose, president and general manager of Illani, says the Cowlitz Tribe's casino will feature 15 different restaurants.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

The Cowlitz Tribe unveiled the name and branding for their new casino at a press event. The casino and resort will total 368,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment, dining and shopping. — 3 of 8
The Cowlitz Tribe unveiled the name and branding for their new casino at a press event. The casino and resort will total 368,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment, dining and shopping.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

When completed, the Illani casiono will feature more than 360,000 total square feet of gaming, dining, shopping and entertainment for visitors to enjoy. — 4 of 8
When completed, the Illani casiono will feature more than 360,000 total square feet of gaming, dining, shopping and entertainment for visitors to enjoy.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

Workers examine the construction progress of the Cowltiz Tribe's Ilani casino and resort Monday, June 20, 2016. — 5 of 8
Workers examine the construction progress of the Cowltiz Tribe's Ilani casino and resort Monday, June 20, 2016.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

Members of the Cowlitz Tribe took media on a tour of their casino, Ilani, which is still under construction. The $500 million facility is expected to open in spring 2017 and will feature more than 2,00 slot machines and another 80 gaming tables. — 6 of 8
Members of the Cowlitz Tribe took media on a tour of their casino, Ilani, which is still under construction. The $500 million facility is expected to open in spring 2017 and will feature more than 2,00 slot machines and another 80 gaming tables.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

Cowlitz Tribe Spiritual Leader Tanna Engdahl said Cowlitz people have always believed in the power of singing, which is why they chose to name the casino Ilani, which in the Cowlitz language means "to sing." — 7 of 8
Cowlitz Tribe Spiritual Leader Tanna Engdahl said Cowlitz people have always believed in the power of singing, which is why they chose to name the casino Ilani, which in the Cowlitz language means "to sing."
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

An artist's rendering of the layout of the main floor of the Illani casino. The Cowlitz Tribe says the facility will be open to the public in spring 2017. — 8 of 8
An artist's rendering of the layout of the main floor of the Illani casino. The Cowlitz Tribe says the facility will be open to the public in spring 2017.
Bryan M. Vance / OPB

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