Officials for Diamond Desert West Valley Resort, the newest hotel and casino venue to be managed by Tohono O’odham Nation, revealed that the venue is to open doors on December 20. They also said that the first gaming machines have been installed on the casino floor.
The Glendale-located gambling venue will be launched despite the numerous regulatory hurdles the tribe is currently facing. Arizona officials argue that the Tohono O’odham is violating a 2002 agreement with the state, under which its land in Glendale should not be used for the provision of gambling services. Moreover, the state Department of Gaming Enforcement has refused to grant the tribe the necessary Class III gaming license. Without the said license, the casino would not be able to offer table games, such as blackjack at its property.
However, tribal officials have repeatedly pointed out that the gambling venue will be launched, despite the present setbacks. It will feature Class II bingo gaming machines, which are essentially very similar to slots. Under the current laws, the tribe does not need to be licensed by the state gaming regulator, in order to be able to operate a Class II gambling facility.
Randy Howe, Project Development Director for the West Valley casino, as well as other tribal and casino officials informed local media that they are determined to open the venue on December 20, despite the difficulties they are experiencing right now.
To be more precise, the tribe will open Phase One of its resort. It would feature 1,089 gaming machines, which, as mentioned above, have already been installed, a food court, and a bar. The casino floor would occupy a total space of 40,000 square feet.
The whole resort is expected to be completed late in 2017 or early in 2018. It would spread over 130,000 square feet of land, with the casino occupying up to 85,000 square feet. Apart from gambling options, the complex would also offer a hotel, a spa, a conference center, and a number of dining and entertainment facilities.
Commenting on the upcoming opening, Glendale City Councilman Sam Chavira said that the new casino would be “a catalyst” for the economic development of the West Valley area. The official further noted that the decision to support this project was the right one for the city and its residents. Under a 2014 agreement between the Tohono O’odham Nation and Glendale, the tribe will have to contribute no less than $1.4 million in gaming revenue to the city.
