Appeals Court Rules Against Tohono O’odham Nation’s Opponents

Sun, May 29, 2016

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Tohono O’odham Nation can continue to operate its Desert Diamond West Casino in the Phoenix Valley. It ruled against opponents of the tribe, who have fought it every step of the way since the Tohonos announced their intention to build the casino in 2009.

It’s the kind of winning streak that you rarely see in a casino: Last week the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals again ruled in favor of the Tohono O’odham Nation’s right to operate a casino adjacent to Glendale, Arizona,

It was the tribe’s 20th straight court victory, if you include all of the court challenges to its right to operate a casino over the years. The tribe opened the Desert Diamond Casino in the Phoenix Valley last December.

Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Edward D. Manuel reacted to the court’s action: “The unanimous Ninth Circuit ruling is a decisive victory for the Tohono O’odham Nation, the West Valley and Arizona. We remain focused on moving forward to create more jobs and economic opportunity to benefit all of Arizona.”

The casino employs more than 500.

The appeals court decision isn’t the final say in the matter, according to Governor Doug Ducey, who asked the state’s attorneys to “explore all options to make sure Arizona’s interests are considered.”

If the state does not appeal, it’s only hope lies in a bill that some of the state’s representatives in Congress have introduced that would make the Diamond Desert Casino illegal, forcing it to close.