New casino gets a green light in Tucson

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2772 this morning, surrounded by tribesmen from most of the state’s 22 Indian nations.

The bill extends the gaming pacts with the nations for another 20 years, provides for four more casinos, and allows the tribes to add games that were banned in the past, such as craps and fantasy sports betting. It will also allow the tribes to open sports betting in their casinos.

The 92-page compact report specifically mentions a new casino for the Pascua Yaqui Nation to be built on Interstate 10 and Grant Road on the site of a long-abandoned cinema.

But before it can be built, it needs congressional approval, which, if at all, could take months or more.

The tribe sent us this statement this afternoon.

“The new gaming compact makes it possible to build a new casino, but the introduction of the compact does not guarantee this. The land must be taken in trust by the United States, which would require federal law to be passed. The development of a casino is not imminent as additional steps must be taken before the process is complete. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe looks forward to working with the City of Tucson in the future on the potential development of the tribal land. “

Many in the city see the development of a casino on the property as a community development in an impoverished area. But as the former tribal chairman Robert Valencia told us two years ago: “The casino is one of many possibilities.” He would not commit himself solely to one casino.

When signing the law, the governor also pays attention to the aspect of economic development.

“Gaming facilities provide the tribes with sources of finance that ensure self-sufficiency,” said the governor. “By supporting tribal education, health care, housing, and other basic services like water.”

But he also stressed that the contracts first negotiated by the state in 1992 will create thousands of jobs and the new rules are likely to help.

Under the treaties, the tribes are also required to donate a percentage of their income to local communities for general charitable causes.

“Since the original treaties were signed, a total of nearly $ 1.5 billion in tribal contributions has been raised to the state, counties, cities and towns,” said Ducey.

Since the law was passed with a large majority, it comes into force immediately.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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