Desert Diamond Casino breaks ground near the Glendale-Peoria border
Dec 1, 2017, 5:06 PM | Updated: Dec 2, 2017, 2:12 pm
Desert Diamond West Valley Rendering
PHOENIX — Construction began on Friday for a new 75,000-square-foot mega casino named the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino.
The venue is being built near the Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue. Construction was expected to last two years and create over 1,500 construction jobs.
The cost of the project is roughly $400 million.
The ownership group of Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise planned to include five restaurants in the casino along with a full complement of slot machines. Table games will include blackjack, poker and live bingo.
Plans to begin construction for a hotel, spa and other amenities will not begin until after the completion of the casino.
“This is a day our guests and employees have been looking forward to for a long time,” said CEO Andy Asselin.
Due to legal complications and the proximity to the entertainment districts in both Glendale and Peoria, the ownership created a temporary casino which currently employs 600 people. The temporary casino will remain open through the construction of the new project.
An additional 1,000 people will work at the casino when the expansion is completed.
There are many casinos in the Valley but they are primarily located to the south and east. Desert Diamond will be the only casino north of Interstate 10 and west of Interstate 17.
Gila River Arena, home to the Arizona Coyotes, is less than one mile away from the construction site of the new casino.
