Litigation | Openings & Closings

Tohono O'odham Nation faces state in court in new casino lawsuit

Friday, July 3, 2015

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

The Tohono O'odham Nation and the state of Arizona were back in court on Thursday in a long-running dispute over the tribe's off-reservation casino.

The tribe already started construction on the West Valley Resort near Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix. An initial structure is due to open by the end of the year.

The Department of Gaming, however, refuses to certify the facility, claiming it is not legal. So the tribe is suing in federal court to move the project forward.

The first hearing was held yesterday, Capitol Media Services reported. The case is being handled by Judge David Campbell, who has already issued a slew of decisions in the tribe's favor since litigation began in 2010.

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

The state tried to have the case transferred to a different judge, a request that was denied, Capitol Media Services reported. The state then asked for a delay to October over the tribe's objections.

“They’re trying to set us back,” Chairman Edward Manuel told Capitol Media Services.

The tribe wanted a hearing in August . Judge Campbell ended up seeing one in the middle -- September 18, Capitol Media Services reported.

The case is Tohono O'odham Nation v. Ducey.

Get the Story:
State loses skirmish in O'odham casino fight (Capitol Media Services 7/3)