"In the year 2000, our profits quadrupled over the year before," says Brian Wilbur, the General Manager of the Swinomish Northern Lights Casino, near Anacortes.

But with the Swinomish Casino opened in 1994, it was not so successful.

"For the first few years, we were just breaking even," says Wilbur.

Video Slot Machines Making The Difference

What's made the difference are the Class 3 Gaming machines -- or video slot machines.

They look like what you would see in Las Vegas, except you pay for a ticket and put that into the machine instead of putting money directly in it to play. Your ticket is credited if you win, then you cash that in.

This week, the Washington Indian Gaming Association held its first trade show.

Six-hundred people from tribes across the state came to the show to see the latest in gambling machines.

"We've embarked on a unique fortune for our people," says E.Arlen Washines, the president of the Washington Indian Gaming Association.

A fortune for tribal nations and our state.

State Reaps $1 Billion From Tribal Casinos

Each year, tribal casinos bring more than $1 billion into Washington. In some counties, like Grays Harbor, the casino is the largest employer.

Tribal communities, like the Swinomish no longer have to rely just on fishing. The Swinomish Casino has cut tribal welfare rolls in half.

"It really boosted their confidence levels and self esteem levels," says Wilbur.

The profits go back into tribal communities to help pay for new housing and social programs.

Last June, profits sent five Swinomish tribal members to college, each with $10,000 scholarships.

Tribes Not Only Beneficiary

Gaming profits also help non-tribal communities.

The Tulalip Casino profits, for instance, pay for five Snohomish County Deputy positions.

There is so much success in gaming, the Lummi Nation, near Bellingham wants to try it again.

The Lummi's says they failed the first time out, because of competition from slot machines in British Columbia. The old Lummi casino is now an employment center.

They plan to break ground to build a new casino in mid-April. They feel confident they'll succeed this time.

"There wasn't machines the first time around...now we've got machines," says William Jones Sr., the Lummi Nation Tribal Chairman.

A dream to share the wealth -- to do well.

"Our future is bright, I like the direction we're heading in, " says Wilbur.

The Swinomish Nation is also using casino profits to expand into other businesses. There are plans for a gas station, a hotel and conference center, and the tribe has acquired 350 acres of land to build a marina.