Washington’s Lottery is moving its Central Washington Regional Office to the Tri-Cities.

The current office on South Fifth Avenue in Yakima is closing on Nov. 16, and the new office at 8551 W. Gage Blvd., Suite K, in Kennewick is set to open on Nov. 20.

The 2,370-square-foot office in the same building as Buffalo Wild Wings, Paw’s Natural Pet Emporium and several other businesses not far from Costco and the Columbia Center mall.

Washington’s Lottery has a five-year lease.

“We’re really excited to have a larger, official presence in the Tri-Cities with our new regional office,” said Joshua Johnston, director of Washington’s Lottery, in a statement.

“It’s an area where player demand is strong, retailer support is high, and where we see the opportunity to match the growth of the surrounding population with our own. We see this as a win-win for the Tri-Cities community and Washington’s Lottery,” Johnston said.

The regional office was in Yakima for more than 40 years, since 1982.

Several factors went into the decision to relocate, the statement said. “Our mission is to maximize contributions to our beneficiaries, which include the Washington Student Achievement Council and the Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program, among others,” Johnston said in the statement, which noted the Yakima lease was expiring. “Doing so means being where Lottery support is sound, including having an active, engaged player base to support the new location.”

All seven employees at the Yakima office will transfer to the new Kennewick office, and the agency will pay similar lease costs in Kennewick, the statement said.

Players will be able to claim prizes at the new location, buy tickets through a vending machine that accepts cash and debit cards, and learn more about how Washington’s Lottery works.

“Office moves are never easy for any organization,” Johnston said in the statement. “We realize that there are players who will be excited about this decision and others who won’t be. Ultimately, though, we hope all our players will understand that this is what is best for Washington’s Lottery as an organization and ultimately for our beneficiaries.”

Other regional offices are in Everett, Federal Way, Olympia, Spokane and Vancouver.

The Kennewick office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.