The Tohono O'odham Nation has won another round in a gaming battle with the state of Arizona and two competing gaming tribes. Judge David Campbell ruled that the tribe's Class III gaming compact does not bar a casino in the metro Phoenix area. The tribe is pursuing the West Valley Resort on a site near Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix. "Although plaintiffs have presented some evidence to support their claim, the written compact contains no such limitation," Campbell wrote in the 28-page decision. "It does not prohibit the nation from building a new casino in the Phoenix area." Campbell, however, asked the state, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Gila River Indian Community for more information about their claim that the Tohono O'odham Nation "encouraged" voters to believe there would be no casinos in the Phoenix area while "secretly planning" the West Valley Resort. The compact was signed on December 4, 2002. The tribe purchased 145 acres near Glendale in May 2003 but didn't announce plans for the casino until January 2009. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community operates four Phoenix-area gaming facilities, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission. The newest one opened in 2010. The Gila River Indian Community operates three Phoenix-area gaming facilities, according to the NIGC. The newest one opened in 2008. Get the Story:
Judge sides with tribe on Glendale casino plan (The Arizona Republic 5/8)
Casino backers get another court win in fight for Glendale facility (The Phoenix Business Journal 5/8)
Casino near Glendale wins round in court (Capitol Media Services 5/7)
Tohono O'odham Nation Racks Up Another Legal Victory in Federal Court (The Phoenix New Times 5/7)
Judge OKs Glendale Casino (KYFI-TV 4/7)
Acting city manager gives view on casino (The Glendale Star 5/7) District Court Decision:
Arizona v. Tohono O'odam Nation (May 7, 2013)
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