The Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona announced last week that its new, larger $400 million Desert Diamond West Valley Casino will open February 19.
The facility will have 2.3 million square feet. It will add 1,300 new employees to reach a total of 2,000. The old, temporary casino, will close as soon as the new one opens with twice the square footage of the old.
The new facility will include a 75,000 SF gaming floor. There will be five restaurants, including an Italian eatery and a steak and seafood restaurant, a 400-seat bingo hall, a VIP gaming lounge and two-story bar with a view of the gaming floor.
There will be 1,136 slots machines, 36 poker tables and 48 blackjack tables.
The hiring process has already commenced, according to Don Ayers, general manager. There will be a mix of part-time and permanent positions, he said.
Rudy Prieto, chief executive officer of all four Desert Diamond casinos, predicted, “This place is going to raise the bar for the casino industry in Arizona.”
