The tribal state gaming compact signed in 2016 between the Hopi Community of Arizona and the state took effect on May 8.
The Hopi were the 22nd and last Arizona tribe to sign a gaming compact with the state. The 20-year compact allows the tribe to deploy a maximum of 900 slot machines, either on its own land or leased to other communities.
The Hopi reservation spreads over 1.5 million acres in northeastern Arizona. The tribe was prompted to sign the compact because the steady source of income it has received from the Navajo Generating Station power plant is coming to an end. The Navajo are going to produce their own power.
The power plant is responsible for 85 percent of the tribe’s income. The tribe has requested the federal government’s assistance in keeping the power plant from closing.
In a statement sent to Congress last week by Hopi Chairman Tim Nuvanyaoma, he said “The Hopi community is landlocked and income generation diversification is quite hard.” Continuing that, “The community lacks reliable electricity, clean water, and access to a fast and reliable
