Litigation | Openings & Closings

Tohono O'odham Nation prepared to go with Class II machines

Friday, September 11, 2015

An updated rendering of the West Valley Resort under construction in Glendale, Arizona. Image from WVR

The Tohono O'odham Nation will open a gaming facility in Glendale, Arizona, later this year despite opposition from the state.

The tribe is prepared to offer only Class II games at the $200 million West Valley Resort, Capitol Media Services reported. Patrons won't notice a big difference from Class III slot machines, a tribal official said.

“You won’t even realize it when you’re a person playing it,” chief gaming officer Andy Asselin told Capitol Media Services.

The tribe has a Class III gaming compact that covers the site. But the Arizona Department of Gaming is refusing to certify the facility, alleging the tribe pursued it by misleading the state and voters.

Arizona Casino Wars: Tribes battle over new gaming facility in the Phoenix area

Judge David Campbell heard arguments in the dispute in federal court on Thursday. The tribe wants Campbell to order the state to stop interfering with its gaming rights.

Campbell has previously ruled that the Glendale site can be used for gaming. The state and two tribes with existing casinos in the area -- the Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community -- are trying to stop the new facility in court and in Congress.

Get the Story:
Tribe to open casino regardless of judge's ruling (Capitol Media Services 9/11)
Tohono O’Odham Nation Sues State to Open Casino (Arizona Public Media 9/11)
Judge asked to order Arizona to license Glendale-area casino (AP 9/10)