A report recently released by the Arizona Indian Gaming Association report showed tribal nations provide 15,000 jobs. Of those, 700 work for the Cocopah Indian Tribe of Arizona’s tribal government and Cocopah Enterprises, ranking the tribe among the top 15 employers in Yuma County, Arizona. The tribe operates the Cocopah Resort and Casino in Somerton.
Jonathan Athens, tribal communications director, said, “The Cocopah Casino alone contributes tens of millions of dollars to the local economy through the revenue it generates from customers, vendors and employees. In addition, the casino has made it possible for Cocopah to expand its businesses to include other venues such as the Cocopah Speedway, just to name one. Because of this, the overall positive economic impact of the casino and the other enterprises is enormous.”
The Cocopah Wild River Entertainment Center occupies the original 1993 bingo hall and video lottery games parlor. The current Cocopah Casino opened in 2003 and today includes 83,125 square feet with 510 slots, six table games and bingo. Athens noted thanks to tribal gaming and other
enterprises, “the Cocopah Tribal Council goes above and beyond the annual state requirement when it comes to making contributions to the community. Each month the Cocopah Tribal Council makes generous donations to worthy local charities, nonprofit groups, individuals, and organizations that serve to strengthen families and communities,” he said.
Cocopah Casino General Manager Sheila Howe said, “Tribal gaming has no place to go but up. Gaming is evolving as the next generation of customers expect more from their gaming experience. We’re always looking at the cutting edge of the technology in order to appeal to the next generation.”
