What could be the final chapter in the battle by the state of Arizona and various gaming tribes first to stop and now to shut down the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino is playing out in the nation’s capitol between lobbyists for the Tohono O’odham Nation and their opponents.
Most of Arizona’s congressional delegation, including its two U.S. Senators, want to pass the Keep the Promise Act, which would pull the rug out from under the casino after 19 legal challenges have failed to do so.
The resort opened in December, although only as a Class II casino.
Opponents include the Gila River Indian Community, which has so far spent $690,000 on Akin Gump, a lobbying firm.
The Tohono tribe has spent $430,000 with the Dentons lobbying firm.
The Keep the Promise Act, H.R. 308 and S. 152 lies dead in the House, although it is still listed as an action item in both chambers.
