West Valley Resort Casino (Sun City: casinos, restaurant, lawsuit)

[BillyJackAz]

I was curious if anyone knows of anything new about this situation? Is this West Valley casino still scheduled/expected to open? If so, does anyone know of a specific date or time-frame? And will it likely be some time this year (2015)? Or is that not realistic?

[WilmaWildcat]

Here's some articles I came up with. The last link is to a search list of an Arizona casino news database. Most recent thing I found was 2 August.

From the World Casino News directory

Governor and AG say tribe can
2 Aug 2015
artist’s rendering of the casino
West Valley Casino Resort
http://www.westvalleyopportunity.com...s-garage_0.jpg

I used elipses where I cut text; but this looks complicated, and it’s better if the whole article is read.

Arguments were heard on Friday by U.S. District Court Judge David Campbell from attorneys for three state officials that the Tohono O’odham Nation has no right to sue them in its bid to open a casino near Glendale, Arizona…Lawyers for the two say the lawsuit filed by the tribe doesn’t pertain to the pair because the power to make the decision lies with Daniel Bergin, director of the State Department of Gaming, not their clients. Bergin is also named in the suit…The voter approved Proposition 202 updated guidelines for Indian gaming, ensuring that the Tohono O’odham would be able to conduct gaming and maintain operation of their four casinos on settlement lands now and in the future. (Cont…)



Judge rejects state bid for some documents in fight against casino project

Date July 28, 2015
AuthorHoward Fischer
SourceCapitol Media Services
RegionArizona
SubjectIndian gaming
URLhttp://www.yourwestvalley.com/glendale/article_ae50f8ac-34b3-11e5-8961-6fe93ccb0883.html

A federal judge has slapped down much of the effort by the state to force the Tohono O’odham Nation to produce more documents in Arizona’s fight to stop the tribe from opening a new casino near Glendale.




Tribe gets injunction and lawsuit against state expedited to Sept. 4

Date July 10, 2015
AuthorCarolyn Dryer
SourceGlendale Star
RegionArizona
SubjectIndian gaming
URLhttp://www.glendalestar.com/news/article_abf4eef4-25ba-11e5-b0f6-e7deacf6ac5e.html

It did not take long, but several steps were taken last Thursday before Federal District Court Judge David Campbell set a date for the trial to begin in the Tohono O’odham Nation’s lawsuit against the State of Arizona… The Nation also requested an emergency injunction against ADG’s use of “unprecedented intimidation tactics against businesses and individuals who wish to work with the Nation’s West Valley Resort.”




Here’s the database search list, where you can find the archive of articles of all Arizona region gaming news. Hope the link works ok.

CDC Gaming Reports Industry News Database Search

[jimj]

Originally Posted by jdahunt

Tohono O'Odham has everything on their side....my bet would be that they open when they are ready knowing the city or state can't do anything to stop them.

Keep in mind that according to most recent SC rulings this is now sovereign land, not much the city or state can do now since they don't have any jurisdiction.

The above comment keeps mentioning the governor and state gaming officials....that means nothing for this property....the land may as well be in another state...their thoughts or wishes are meaningless.

I must say that these very actions of the state and officials are the very reason the Supreme Court had to declare Indian land as sovereign.....who knows what shenanigans would be done to once again cheat native Americans out of something...the lesson here is that as long as you give certain people campaign dollars you can expect those officials to protect your interests....aren't those normally known as "bribes"?

I've always been of the opinion that if they are indeed a sovereign nation then they should be treated as such (which is what I think you advocate).
As a sovereign nation they should have to have a passport to get into the U.S. and possibly be treated as immigrants if they wish to leave their "nation".
If that's the wish then they should not be on the federal teat, especially since they're making "millions" on gaming. They should be responsible for all of their own infrastructure,government,police,fire,ambulance etc. Build their own hospitals,schools and fund their own social services. They can deal with their own drug,alcohol and smoking issues and while we're on that have their own currency and banks backed by the millions in gaming money.
You want to be separate? Fine! Pay the freight then.

Kind of harsh? Well, it's my belief that what happened well over two centuries ago needs to be put to rest. Either we're one nation between our borders or we're not, these divisions do not help anyone.
Time to decide.
As a side note, if you ever go to one of the Indian Casino's and something happens, say you break both legs falling in a ditch in the middle of the casino floor or you get food poisoning in their buffet and almost die don't even think of going after them for damages. YOU WON'T GET SQUAT!
Don't believe it? Look it up and see for yourself...

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by BillyJackAz

I was curious if anyone knows of anything new about this situation? Is this West Valley casino still scheduled/expected to open? If so, does anyone know of a specific date or time-frame? And will it likely be some time this year (2015)? Or is that not realistic?

The construction continues despite the pending litigation (it will be tough for the state to win any appeal)

[swbrotha100]

Originally Posted by BillyJackAz

By the way, are either of you in the casino/gaming industry? Just curious.

I'm not in the casino/gaming industry. I think that if West Valley Resort is this far where the building is under construction, let the thing open on schedule.

Glendale probably should have tried to annex the land years ago instead of just a strip annexation. That may have prevented the land being available in the first place. The city fought the casino for awhile, but eventually changed their mind. I think others (McCain, Flake, etc) should worry about other things now.

[WilmaWildcat]

Update:

Tribe to open casino regardless of judge's ruling


Tribe: Casino to open even if judge says no

By Howard Fischer

CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES

PHOENIX - The Tohono O'odham Nation plans to open its Glendale casino in December no matter what a federal judge decides in its dispute with the state.

The only question will be what kind of slot machines players will find when they walk through the doors. At a hearing Thursday, attorney Danielle Spinelli told Judge David Campbell that state Gaming Director Daniel Bergin is acting illegally in refusing to issue the necessary permits for a full-blown Class 3 casino including slot machines, blackjack, poker and roulette. She said that goes beyond his authority under both federal law and the terms of the compact approved by voters in 2002 giving tribes the exclusive right to operate casinos. (Continued...)

[jimj]

Yep, they're going to open the state's nicest BINGO parlor...
Why don't they open a big amusement park like the one in NC? Half rides, half waterpark, it'd make millions and employ hundreds.
It's not like we need another stupid blood sucking casino...

[ScottsdaleMark]

I find it a legally very interesting situation and look forward to seeing how it plays out. The problem as I understand it is that the state and the tribes entered into an agreement, BUT, it is also sovereign land subject to federal oversight only, not state, so I can't figure out what's really going to happen in the courts.

Personally I do not favor legalized gambling and while I understand most people manage to go to the casinos without losing everything, I know a lot of people who nonetheless waste a lot of time and money on things like the lottery or regular casino gaming and I just don't personally understand the attraction to losing money on a routine basis. Fortunately most people have some level of control and see it as a pleasure purchase, I guess, but I also don't like the toll gambling addicts take on innocent families because whether on Indian lands or in NJ/NV, there are no rules or laws on how much money you can choose to lose or how often and they will gladly take every dollar a problem gambler has and give them nothing in return except a 1-800 number to call for help. (Kind of like the alcohol industry and its approach to addiction, similarly...where 10% of your individual customers are responsible for 90% of your revenue.)

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by jimj

Yep, they're going to open the state's nicest BINGO parlor...
Why don't they open a big amusement park like the one in NC? Half rides, half waterpark, it'd make millions and employ hundreds.
It's not like we need another stupid blood sucking casino...

Probably because they make a stupid amount of money for some. Though I think your amusement park idea is be a good one...perhaps they can make a Las Vegas Circus Circus type thing eventually and incorporate some rides.

Given the close proximity to the Sun City's in the west valley and if they design a decent club for those in their 20's/30's, it will be be packed to the gills. Even without the club.......

[jimj]

Originally Posted by ScottsdaleMark

I find it a legally very interesting situation and look forward to seeing how it plays out. The problem as I understand it is that the state and the tribes entered into an agreement, BUT, it is also sovereign land subject to federal oversight only, not state, so I can't figure out what's really going to happen in the courts.

Personally I do not favor legalized gambling and while I understand most people manage to go to the casinos without losing everything, I know a lot of people who nonetheless waste a lot of time and money on things like the lottery or regular casino gaming and I just don't personally understand the attraction to losing money on a routine basis. Fortunately most people have some level of control and see it as a pleasure purchase, I guess, but I also don't like the toll gambling addicts take on innocent families because whether on Indian lands or in NJ/NV, there are no rules or laws on how much money you can choose to lose or how often and they will gladly take every dollar a problem gambler has and give them nothing in return except a 1-800 number to call for help. (Kind of like the alcohol industry and its approach to addiction, similarly...where 10% of your individual customers are responsible for 90% of your revenue.)

There might be a hint if this goes anything like it did in MT when the Indians wanted to open full on Casino's and the state gaming commission said "NOPE".
The tribes fought and lost and can only operate video bingo type machines.