The casino industry is already going through a lot of doldrums in Arizona and to add more to its woes now the State of Arizona will not be building any new casinos for the foreseeable future after State Governor Doug Ducey and 10 Indian tribal nations agreed on a new compact on Monday.
Now Arizona will not approve any further casino or gambling projects in the State based on an agreement which has been signed. Earlier in 2002 voters had already given thumbs up to an agreement between the state of Arizona and the Indian tribes that lived within those invisible four walls to limit the number of casinos in Arizona. Now after 10 years 10 Indian tribes and the Governor Doug Ducey have once again put pen to paper to update the agreement.
A new deal got signed on Monday inside the state Capitol’s old Senate building which allows the current casinos to grow the casinos while at the same time preventing further expansion of casinos within the Phoenix Metro area. So as per the deal the existing casinos will be able to increase the number of Keno games from two to four and casinos within a 40-mile radius of the population of more than 400,000 can enhance their number of poker tables from 100 to 105. This way it offers a fair chance for the existing casinos for expansion and even increasing their revenue by offering their place to more number of customers.
State Governor Doug Ducey said while speaking to the press:
“Increase gaming operations in return for not constructing further facilities in the Phoenix Metro area marks the beginning of imminent discussions to bring additional improvements to the gaming compacts of our state.
“Today, these tribal leaders are reaffirming the promises they have made to each other and Arizona. It is vital for healing the integrity of the original agreement. The partnership forged over a decade ago established the standard that helped these nations prosper.”
However, Arizona asked the tribes for the commitment of not adding new gaming and entertainment centers with the exception if the Desert Diamond casino in Glendale which is not open yet. The Desert Diamond has entered into various controversies and legal discussions since Tohono O’odham Nation has bought the territory from Phoenix University Stadium in 2009. The operator nation has not signed the agreement with the governor yet, but Kirk Adams, the governor’s chief of staff commented they expect the tribe’s signature during the following days.
