Casino Stalker | Litigation

SCIA sets hearing on bill to block Tohono O'odham Nation casino

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing next week on S.2670, the Keep the Promise Act.

The bill bars all forms of Class II or Class III gaming on any lands acquired in trust in the metro Phoenix area after April 9, 2013. It doesn't mention any tribes by name but it was written to prevent the Tohono O'odham Nation from opening an off-reservation casino.

The tribe has won numerous court decisions to have the site of the $500 million West Valley Resort placed in trust. Rival tribes with casinos in the area, however, are pushing Congress to ban the new development.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs agreed to place the gaming site in trust in July. If enacted, the Keep the Promise Act won't affect the status of the land.

Next week's hearing will take place at 2:30pm on Wednesday, September 17. A witness list hasn't been posted online but is likely to feature some of the players who appeared at a July 23 hearing where the casino was discussed.

Get the Story:
Senate panel to consider measure that would halt Glendale casino (The Glendale Daily News-Sun 9/11)

Committee Notice:
Legislative Hearing on S. 2670, Keep the Promise Act of 2014 (September 17, 2014)