A law that would prevent the Glendale, Arizona casino under construction by the Tohono O’odham tribe from operating has advanced in the House of Representatives.
The House Committee on Natural Resources last week voted to send H.R. 308 to the full House. The bill declares that the casino violates the state tribal gaming compact of 2002. It is identical to a bill introduced earlier this year by U.S. Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, both of Arizona.
The casino began construction and recently held the topping off ceremony for its steel structure. Several neighboring tribes oppose the casino. They say that by offering gaming in the Phoenix metropolitan area the casino violates the 2002 compacts voters approved in the form of Proposition 202.
That line of argument has so far failed to persuade federal judges.
The land, acquired several years ago by the tribe as a result of a federal land settlement, was put into trust last July.
