Legislation | Openings & Closings

Tohono O'odham Nation still fighting anti-casino bill on Capitol Hill

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Patrons waited in long lines on December 20, 2015, for the opening of the Desert Diamond Casino – West Valley in Glendale, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

The Tohono O'odham Nation opened a new casino to large crowds in December but opponents on Capitol Hill are still trying to shut it down.

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Arizona) told Politico that he wants to bring H.R.308, the Keep the Promise Act, back up for a vote in the House. The bill would force the tribe to close the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino and Resort if it became law.

Franks told Politico "it's still something I strongly support and intend to pursue."

Franks suffered a major defeat in November when he failed to secure enough votes to advance the measure. Rival tribes with existing casinos were also banking on victory.

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

But the setback didn't stop the Gila River Indian Community, from signing a huge $690,000 lobbying contract in the first quarter of 2016, Politico reported last month. The tribe has since quit the Arizona Indian Gaming Association in protest of the new casino. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, another rival, also left the organization.

"Their actions today are inconsistent with the mission of AIGA, which is to promote tribal gaming and to unify Arizona tribes through that effort. The Tohono O’odham Nation will continue to support AIGA’s mission and efforts," the Tohono O’odham Nation said in a statement.

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Lobbying field day on Indian gaming bill continues (Politico 5/11)