Phoenix mayor won't pursue slot machines at airport

Wednesday, July 23, 2008  

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon won't try to bring slot machines to the Sky Harbor International Airport.

Gordon wanted to partner with tribes because he said the city is "broke." But the idea raised too many legal issues and could have hurt existing casinos, tribal representatives said.

The tribal-state compact allows tribes to lease slot machines but only to other tribes. Gaming is also limited to Indian lands so parts of the airport would have to be placed in trust.

The city could have pursued slot machines without involving the tribes. But the compact says tribes won't have to share revenues if gaming is legalized elsewhere in the state.

Get the Story:
Mayor ditches idea of slots at airport (The Arizona Republic 7/23)
Phoenix pulls plug on airport slot machines idea, but seeks tribal investments (The Phoenix Business Journal 7/22)