Legislation | Openings & Closings

Navajo Nation Council supports bill to block rival casino in Arizona

Friday, June 12, 2015

The Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

The Navajo Nation Council has joined the fight against a controversial casino in Arizona.

Lawmakers voted 18-0 on Thursday to support the Keep the Promise Act (H.R.308 and S.152). The bill prevents the Tohono O'odham Nation from using its trust land in the Phoenix area for a casino.

“The Keep the Promise Act will help to protect Navajo’s investment in the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort and protect the integrity of Arizona’s compact,” Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates said.

The Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is located outside of Flagstaff. That's more than 160 miles from the Tohono O'odham Nation's West Valley Resort in Glendale, a suburb on the western side of Phoenix, but Navajo leaders describe the new facility as a threat.

Ongoing construction on the West Valley Resort in Glendale, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

"We are protecting our nation’s investment in gaming and also protecting the image and reputation of Arizona gaming tribes as it relates to current compacts with the state,” said Navajo Nation Council Delegate Alton Joe Shepherd.

The council's endorsement of the Keep the Promise Act marks the first time that leaders of the Navajo Nation have publicly waded into a controversy that has spurred a massive lobbying campaign in Arizona and in Washington, D.C. Tribes with existing casinos in the Phoenix area have spent millions of dollars in hopes of convincing Congress to pass the bill.

The effort appears to be paying off. After languishing on Capitol Hill last year, the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee moved quickly on the bill and it could could come up for a vote in the House and the Senate any day.

Artist's rendering of the West Valley Resort in Glendale, Arizona. Image from Facebook

The Tohono O'odham Nation has been fighting back but has been outspent by the Gila River Indian Community, which operates three casinos on the southern side of Phoenix. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Tohono O'odham Nation has spent $410,000 so far this year on Capitol Hill while the Gila River Indian Community has spent $980,000.

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, which operates two casinos on the eastern side, has spent $140,000 so far this year, according to the center.

The Tohono O'odham Nation already broke ground on the West Valley Resort and expects to open an initial structure by the end of the year. So the bill poses an enormous financial threat to the tribe, whose main reservation is located south of Phoenix.

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

The bill poses a risk to the federal government too. The Congressional Budget Office, the non-partisan analysis arm of Congress, estimated that the tribe could seek $1 billion or more in damages for being denied the use of its trust lands.

The Navajo Nation Council's action came on Legislation No. 0137-15. It was approved by the Naabik’iyátí’ Committee, which serves as the final authority for the bill.

President Russell Begaye, who took office last month, has not stated a position on the West Valley Resort.