“They, and we, were concerned about potential impacts to their markets, so we agreed to take a look at locations farther to the west,” Norris said. The updated compact required the Tohono O'odham Nation to build its next casino in “the far West Valley,” a decision that came from discussions with the state and other tribes that operate gaming facilities, Norris said.
More specifics about the new casino are expected to be revealed once the project officially breaks ground. The new casino is planned to have 900 slot machines, table games and other amenities, Norris said. The change was tied to a law that allowed for sports gambling, both on mobile devices and in sportsbook facilities.Ĭonstruction on the new facility will officially kick off on April 5. The 2021 updates to the Tribal-State Gaming Compacts allowed for additional slot machines, more table games and new casinos to be built in the state.
The 110-acre site has already been taken into trust by the federal government for the Tohono O'odham Nation, clearing the way for it to be used as a gaming facility, Ned Norris Jr., tribal chairman, said. The Tohono O'odham Nation, which operates four Desert Diamond Casinos in Arizona, including one near the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale, is preparing to begin development on a fifth, to be located near Loop 303 and Northern Parkway.
