Tohono O'odham Nation makes key change to casino agreement

Thursday, September 24, 2015

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

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The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona is making an important change to its gaming agreement with the city of Glendale, Arizona.

The tribe and the city reached an agreement in 2014 after years of being on opposite sides of the fence. The deal calls for the tribe to pay about $26 million over 20 years for the West Valley Resort that's under construction in Glendale.

The payments, though, were linked to the start of Class III gaming at the site. Since the tribe plans to open the facility later this year with Class II games -- pending resolution of a lawsuit against the state -- the agreement is being modified to reflect the change, The Glendale Star reported.

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

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The $200 million casino is due to open in December. A federal judge has affirmed its legality but the Arizona Department of Gaming is refusing to certify the facility, claiming the tribe pursued it through fraudulent means.

Judge David Campbell rejected the tribe's motion for a preliminary injunction by noting that a Class II facility will "generate the same level of profits as would a Class III facility," according to the tribe's own consultant. The case will continue.