Video: Bad weather not keeping guests from casino opening

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SNOQUALMIE, Wash. - The King County Sheriff's Office prepared for heavy traffic for the grand opening of the new Snoqualmie Casino on Thursday in Snoqualmie.

As many as 30,000 people are expected on the grand opening weekend and traffic could be backed up along the I-90 exits and surface roads between Snoqualmie and North Bend.

The $375 million casino has 1,700 electronic slot machines, 15 games tables and five restaurants. It employs about 1,300 workers.

Even though the economy tough right now, they believe they will be fine.

"We tend to be like food and beverage and everything else," said Chris Easley, casino HR manager. "People still have to enjoy themselves, kind of like the entertainment business. They're not recession resilient; they're resistant."

Singer Jessica Simpson is live in concert Friday night as the casino's first headliner.

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Snoqualmie Casino, located between Snoqualmie and North Bend just off Interstate 90.

State Patrol anticipates the heaviest traffic Thursday and Friday. Crews are prepared to shut down eastbound Exit 27 on I-90 near North Bend if traffic backs up from Southeast North Bend Way.

With only 2,500 parking spots in their parking lot and garage, casino oficials also anticipate parking problems as well. They are warning drivers not to park on arterial and side streets around the casino and advise carpooling.