Legislation

Arizona tribes continue to spend big in DC amid fight over casino

Monday, April 25, 2016

Patrons waited in long lines on December 20, 2015, for the opening of the Desert Diamond Casino – West Valley in Glendale, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

The Tohono O'odham Nation overcame significant legal and political opposition when it opened a new casino in Arizona last December.

But the war is far from over. Even though the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino and Resort continues to operate freely, the tribe is still battling rivals on Capitol Hill who want to block the facility through legislation.

One of those rivals, the Gila River Indian Community, in fact had the single largest lobbying contract in the first quarter of the year, Politico reported. The tribe spent $690,000 on the Akin Gump firm, according to an April 20 filing.

The Tohono O'odham Nation ranked sixth on the list, Politico reported. The tribe spent $430,000 on the Dentons firm, according to another April 20 filing.

The fight centers over the Keep the Promise Act (H.R.308 | S.152). Although the House failed to advance the measure last year, the filings for both tribes list the bill as an action item.

The bill does not mention any tribes by name but it bars gaming on newly acquired trust lands in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Tohono O'odham Nation fits that criteria.

Get the Story:
POLITICO Influence: TOP CONTRACTS [see third item] (Politico 4/21)
Arizona Tribes Spend Big for Washington Lobbying (Arizona Public Media 4/22)

9th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Arizona v. Tohono O'odham Nation (March 29, 2016)