Huge crowds turned out for the opening of the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino and Resort in Glendale, Arizona, on December 20, 2015. Photo from Facebook The Tohono O'odham Nation and the state of Arizona don't seem any closer to resolving a long-running gaming dispute. After hearing about a new Class III gaming compact, a federal judge asked the tribe and the state about the possibility of settling the matter. But the two parties remain at odds, according to a filing they jointly submitted on Wednesday. "The Nation does not believe that settlement of this matter is imminent," the tribe said in its part of the filing. At issue is whether the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino and Resort can offer Class III games. The state is refusing to certify the facility under the Class III gaming compact, claiming the tribe pursued it through fraudulent means. The state has since signed a compact with eight other tribes that would allow West Valley to offer Class III games. The tribe, however, has concerns about the agreement. "Although the Nation is still reviewing the state’s proposal and determining how to respond, the proposal’s current terms are unlikely to be acceptable to the Nation for a number of reasons," the filing on Wednesday read. With a settlement unlikely at this point, Judge David Campbell is going ahead with a previously scheduled hearing in the case on December 14. Arguments could determine whether the tribe prevails in its effort to offer Class III games at West Valley. Read More on the Story:
Tribes sign gaming compact amendment (The Glendale Star 12/1)
Council approves donations from Tohono O’Odham for Kellis High School (The Glendale Star 12/1)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Tohono
O'odham Nation open to new Class III gaming compact (11/29) Tohono O'odham Nation poised for win in long-running casino feud (11/21)
State defends destruction of notes in Tohono O'odham Nation case (10/06)
Tohono O'odham Nation seeks sanctions in battle over casino (09/22)
State admits destroying records in Tohono O'odham Nation fight (9/15)
Editorial: Drop the 'charade' against Tohono O'odham Nation's casino (08/18)
Judge turns tables on state in Tohono O'odham Nation gaming case (8/10)
Arizona tribes send fewer gaming revenues to state in last quarter (8/3)
State takes blame for sharing Tohono O'odham Nation minutes (07/22)
Rival tribe distributes Tohono O'odham Nation gaming documents (7/13)
Tohono O'odham Nation shares $1.2M from controversial casino (06/29)
Tohono O'odham Nation told to turn over casino-related documents (6/23)
Tim Steller: Money motivates Tohono O'odham Nation casino spat (06/08)
Tohono O'odham Nation still eyeing Class III games at new facility (6/6)
9th Circuit won't rehear Tohono O'odham Nation gaming case (05/24)
Tohono O'odham Nation still fighting anti-casino bill on Capitol Hill (05/11)
Tribes quit Arizona Indian Gaming Association to protest new casino (5/6)
Arizona tribes continue to spend big in DC amid fight over casino (04/25)
Tohono O'odham Nation wins yet another decision on new casino (03/29)
EJ Montini: Arizona open for business except for one tribal casino (3/28)
Tohono O'odham Nation puts casino name on car race in Arizona (3/25)
Sen. McCain still bothered by failure to block Arizona tribe's casino (02/04)
Tohono O'odham Nation still can't serve alcohol at new casino (1/28)
Peter Roff: Congress should shutter Tohono O'odham Nation casino (1/27)
Tohono O'odham Nation welcomes large crowd to new casino (12/21
