Openings & Closings | Regulation

Tohono O'odham Nation still can't serve alcohol at new casino

Thursday, January 28, 2016

A view of the food court at the Desert Diamond Casino – West Valley in Glendale, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona can't serve alcohol at its new casino due to an unspecified investigation, The Glendale Star reports.

The tribe holds four other liquor licenses that are in good standing, an official with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control told the paper. But since each situation is treated differently, the Desert Diamond Casino - West Valley opened last month without a license.

The department received 126 valid protest letters against the license, the paper reported. The protests most likely would be considered at a public hearing but one won't be scheduled until the investigation is complete, a process that could take several months.

“We received a letter Dec. 16 stating the department was extending their investigation to May 2016," attorney Tom Aguilera, who is representing the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise in the matter, told the paper.

Aguilera said the delay is the longest he's ever experienced, a situation that could be tied to the controversial nature of the casino. The state is fighting the casino in Congress and in the courts and has refused to certify it for Class III gaming.

Despite the obstacles, the tribe opened the casino to large crowds on December 20, 2015.

Get the Story:
Understanding the holdup on casino liquor license (The Glendale Star 1/28)
Casino’s liquor license on hold (The Glendale Star 12/31)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Political prohibition fuels license farce (The Glendale Star 1/28)