Eric Persson Initiates Buyback of Eight Washington Casinos to Maintain Operations

Amir Berger · Oct 8, 2026

Eric Persson Initiates Buyback of Eight Washington Casinos to Maintain Operations

Exterior view of a Washington state casino property with signage and parking area

Eric Persson, owner of Maverick Gaming, has taken steps to purchase eight Washington state casinos back from lenders, a move designed to stop their scheduled closures on November 30 while keeping roughly 850 positions intact. The properties had operated under Maverick Washington LLC during ongoing bankruptcy cases, and the buyback allows operations to proceed without interruption as the ownership change advances.

According to details released in the transaction announcement, Persson expects the deal to finalize within three weeks, at which point the casinos will transfer fully to new ownership under his direction. Employees across the sites will move to the incoming entity without layoffs tied to the shift, and the physical locations themselves face no shutdowns during or after the process.

Properties Covered in the Agreement

The eight locations include Great American Casino in Everett along with All Star Casino in Silverdale, plus six additional facilities spread across the state. These sites had faced lender-driven closure plans tied to the bankruptcy proceedings, yet the buyback removes that immediate threat and restores control to Persson.

Operations at each property continue on their regular schedules while the paperwork moves forward, with staff receiving confirmation that employment remains steady. The arrangement covers all current gaming floors, restaurants, and support services without any reported reductions in hours or services.

Job Preservation and Staff Transition Details

Around 850 workers stand to keep their roles as the ownership transfers, a figure drawn from current payroll records at the eight properties. Personnel will shift directly to the new owner once the closing occurs, avoiding any gap in benefits or pay cycles that sometimes accompany such changes.

Those overseeing the process have stated that the buildings stay open throughout, meaning customers encounter no alterations to access, game availability, or event programming during the three-week period. This continuity forms a central element of the agreement between Persson and the lenders.

Bankruptcy Context and Path Forward

The casinos had fallen under Maverick Washington LLC amid bankruptcy filings that placed control with lenders, prompting the November 30 closure timeline. Persson's buyback reverses that trajectory by returning the assets to his portfolio before those dates arrive.

Legal and financial teams on both sides continue to finalize transfer documents, with expectations that the process wraps without extending into additional delays. Updates from the proceedings indicate all parties have aligned on keeping the locations functional rather than pursuing liquidation.

Interior of a casino gaming floor showing slot machines and table games in operation

Industry Employment Patterns in Similar Transactions

Data compiled by the American Gaming Association tracks how ownership shifts in regional casino markets often preserve existing workforce levels when new operators step in before closures take effect. Figures from that organization highlight employment stability as a frequent outcome in such cases across multiple states.

Observers note that transitions like this one align with broader patterns where buyers prioritize ongoing operations to retain customer bases and trained staff. The Washington properties fit within those documented trends, where job counts hold steady once the new entity assumes day-to-day management.

Regulatory Oversight During Ownership Change

Washington state gaming regulators maintain standard review processes for ownership transfers, and the current deal proceeds under those established guidelines without reported complications. Licensing and compliance checks continue in parallel with the financial closing timeline.

Reports from the Canadian Gaming Association on cross-border industry practices show that similar transitions in regulated markets emphasize uninterrupted service to protect both workers and tax revenues generated by the venues. Washington officials apply comparable standards to ensure the properties meet all operational requirements post-transfer.

Conclusion

The buyback positions the eight casinos for continued operation under Persson's renewed ownership, with the three-week closing window serving as the final step before full control shifts. Staff transitions and building access remain unchanged, preserving the existing framework at each location through the November 30 period and beyond.

Details released so far confirm no alterations to gaming offerings or support services, allowing the properties to maintain their role in local economies while the paperwork completes. The arrangement resolves the immediate lender concerns tied to the prior bankruptcy status.