The Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved of amendments to the tribal state gaming compacts between Arizona and tribes negotiated by Governor Doug Ducey and approved of by the legislature.
Ducey and the tribes reached the agreement earlier this year and the legislature approved the amendments in April. The compacts allow for expanded gaming by the tribes and more casinos for some and gives tribes the right to offers sports betting while also setting aside 15 sports betting licenses for professional sports operations.
This includes sports groups such as the NFL and NBA, which can formed alliances with sportsbook providers such as DraftKings.
It also allows Indian casinos to expand the types of games they offer, to include baccarat and craps, while adding to the total number of slots.
The BIA’s approval was the last piece needed to complete all the requirements to make the new gaming options legal. Proponents say they hope to be able to take bets by the time the NFL season begins.
One tribe that plans to take advantage of the new compacts is the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe, which has announced it plans to reboot plans for a new casino in Prescott.
The tribe owns land in trust near the junction of Highway 69 and Yavpe Connector. Tribal board of directors President Bob Ogo told Kaff News: “The gaming market in Arizona is changing and the tribe is preparing for the future.”
The tribe currently operates the Bucky’s and Yavapai casinos.
