The Tohono O’odham Nation announced last week that it will break ground on a long planned for 0 million Class III casino near Glendale, Arizona, in the Phoenix Valley.
Although the nation has operated its Class II Desert Diamond Casino since late 2015, it did it without Las Vegas style slots or an alcohol license due to a battle with the state of Arizona. With the recently signed new gaming compact with Governor Doug Ducey that fight is over.
In a statement issued last week Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise CEO Andy Asselin declared, “This has been a long time coming, and we will continue to work with the community to ensure that construction proceeds smoothly.”
In exchange for the state dropping its opposition to the Desert Diamond, the tribe agreed not to build either a Class II or Class III casino anywhere else in the Phoenix metro area. This doesn’t prevent the tribe from acquiring new lands under its settlement with the federal government for lands that were inundated by the Gila Bend dam, but it can’t be used for gaming.
The new resort, expected to take about two years to finish, will be built north of the existing casino, which will be turned into a warehouse once the new casino opens.
Edward Manuel, chairman of the nation, commented, “With this announcement, we are moving forward with our promise to create new jobs and positive economic opportunity for members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, the West Valley and the citizens of Arizona. This beautiful new facility will be a positive economic engine for decades to come.”
