BY AVERY GOODSTINE for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 9/11/2026
Renovations at The Emerald Queen Casino in Fife have officially wrapped up after a year of construction. The $10 million updates include a refreshed gaming floor, new live table games, a modernized guest entrance, upgraded HVAC, new carpeting, updated lighting, and improvements to guest amenities throughout the property. The project took a year to complete and finished ahead of schedule.
The public is invited to attend the official grand reopening celebration later in the year. Details have not yet been finalized, but it is expected to happen in late September or early October, said Justin Center, EQC’s marketing production manager.
Promotional details are also still being finalized, but the reopening event will ensure guests have the opportunity to experience the new table games, celebrate the renovated building, and learn more about what’s to come at the EQC Fife location.
“The celebration is expected to include a ceremonial ribbon cutting, remarks from Tribal, business, and community leaders, and a first look at the property’s new amenities,” Center said. “Additional event details are still being finalized.”
The reopening event will also mark EQC’s 30th anniversary.
EQC Fife first opened in December 2004, with this renovation representing “the largest update to the building since the property was converted from a hotel into a casino and opened as EQC Fife,” Center said.
Before the Puyallup Tribe transformed the building into a casino, it was a Best Western Hotel and Conference Center.
Perhaps the most exciting update to the casino floor is the brand-new table games, including blackjack, roulette, Chase the Flush, and more. This is the first time the Fife location will have table games, compared to over 60 table games at EQC’s location in Tacoma.
“The addition of table games marks an exciting new chapter for EQC Fife,” Center said. “Our team is proud to bring live table games to the property for the first time and give guests even more ways to enjoy their experience.”
Center added that the table games were included in the renovations based on guest feedback.
“Guests asked for table games and a refreshed space, and we listened,” he said. “The new games are part of a broader investment designed to provide more options and an improved overall experience.”
In fact, many of the renovations were influenced directly by what guests said they wanted, Center said. Because the updates have just been completed, Center said it’s difficult to gauge the public’s perception right now, but the EQC team looks forward to hearing from guests as they experience the new gaming experience.
Additional updated games include Magic Treasures Panther, Zhao Cai Zhu Getting Piggy, Wolf Run Eclipse, Samurai Rise Kimiko, Meltdown, and Jackpot Express.
Fife’s Tatoosh Grill is also getting a refreshed menu. Some of the additions include fried chicken, a meatball baguette sandwich, and the double stack smash burger. The fried chicken and smash burger are available during lunch and dinner. The meatball sandwich is available for lunch only.
“There is a great deal of excitement and pride surrounding the completion of the renovations,” Center said. “After approximately a year of construction, our team is excited for guests to experience the improvements and enjoy everything the refreshed property has to offer.”
EQC’s Tacoma location is just a few minutes down the road from the Fife location. Both offer the same level of hospitality but offer different guest experiences.
The Tacoma location is larger, with a wider variety of slot and table games and dining experiences. There are also two bars on the property: the center bar on the casino floor and the rooftop bar at Slahal Steakhouse with a seasonal outdoor patio. Both bars have frequent live music, and the center bar often converts to a different themed bar depending on local events and seasons.
The Fife location is smaller, offering a more intimate and convenient gaming experience. There are still drink and dining options, including the Tatoosh Grill and Paradise Deli.
Both locations offer large event spaces. The Tacoma Event Center hosts ticketed public concerts and shows, while the Fife Ballroom and Conference Center lends itself to private events such as corporate parties and wedding receptions.
While these Fife renovations are the first the building has seen since it opened, they certainly won’t be the last.
Center said additional property projects will continue with the opening of 2102 Tavern, tentatively scheduled for 2027. The harbor-inspired restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and feature a full bar.
“The restaurant’s name and theme honor the longtime waterfront home of the original Emerald Queen riverboat,” Center said. “It celebrates the history, hard work, grit, and determination that helped make EQC what it is today.”
