Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) said he opposes the Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino.
The tribe wants to build the West Valley
Resort near Glendale, Arizona. Flake said the Class III gaming compact prohibits urban casinos even though a federal judge rejected that argument.
“It was never contemplated, in my view, that a tribe would purchase land in the middle of a metro area and open a casino,” Flake said at a town hall, The Daily News-Sun reported. “I believe it is contrary to the compact the tribes signed, and I am against it.”
The House passed H.R.1410,
the Keep the Promise Act, a bill that blocks the casino in September.
The Senate has yet to consider it.
In related news, the Arizona Indian Gaming Association is unveiling a new light rail advertising today to promote tribal casinos. Since 2002, tribes have shared nearly $1 billion under the Class III gaming compact.
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(The Daily News-Sun 4/24)
Indian Gaming Association starts info campaign
(AP 4/25)
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referendum on Tohono O'odham Nation casino (04/15)