Glendale to consider agreement between city, potential casino
Aug 6, 2014, 4:55 PM | Updated: 4:55 pm
PHOENIX — Glendale, Ariz. will consider an agreement between the city and a Native American nation to build a casino near the home of the Arizona Cardinals and Coyotes on Tuesday.
The city voted in July to repeal opposition to the possible Tohono O’odham casino. The process to building the Las Vegas-style casino will take another step should the council approve the agreement.
Under the agreement, the tribe would pay Glendale an annually-increasing $1.4 million until 2026, when the payment drops to an annually-increasing $900,000. The tribe will also give the city marketing money.
The Tohono O’odham has been pushing a proposal to build a sprawling, Las Vegas-style casino since January 2009.
The Gila River Indian Community opposes the plan, saying it violates zoning and state laws and threatens the balance of tribal gaming in Arizona.
Opponents also argue a 2002 voter-backed compact bars more casinos from opening in metro Phoenix.
Gila River tribal officials say opponents will continue to do everything possible to stop the project.
The Tohono O’odham already operates several casinos in southern Arizona.
The Glendale City Council will consider the agreement at a 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
