Gila River Indian Community plans 4th casino south of Chandler
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NEAR CHANDLER, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - The Gila River Indian Community says plans are now underway to build its fourth casino in the metro Phoenix area in the next couple of years. The new casino will be built near Hunt Highway and Gilbert Road, just south of Chandler.
Back in April, Gov. Doug Ducey signed a historic bill legalizing sports betting in Arizona and additional types of table games at tribal casinos.
The passage of the legislation was tied to the updated gaming compact Ducey struck with tribes. The updated compact allowed for as many as four new casinos in the metro Phoenix area.
Preparations for the new location include hiring an architect to design the casino and preparing the selected site for construction. It's estimated it will take 18-24 months to design and construct the casino.
“The Community has been engaged in negotiations for years with the State regarding an Amended and Restated Compact," said Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor of the Gila River Indian Community. "Adding a 4th casino will bring additional revenue, security, and critical services to Community members."
He also said that the new casino will also create hundreds of jobs.
Monday afternoon, the City of Chandler released the following statement to Arizona's Family:
The amended tribal gaming compact signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey and Arizona Tribes on April 15, 2021, allows the Gila River Indian Community to operate up to four casinos in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
The City of Chandler respects the sovereignty of the Gila River Indian Community and wants our residents to recognize that the City has no jurisdiction over the Gila River Indian Community or its casino enterprises.
While the City of Chandler will not be involved in the review or approval of the Gila River Indian Community development, we will communicate residents' concerns and share plans for City infrastructure so tribal officials can make informed decisions regarding the development of the site. As we obtain more information about the project, we will share it with Chandler neighborhoods and residents near the site.
We will coordinate with the Gila River Indian Community, as we would with any new development, to address improvements that may be necessary to roadways owned by the City. Chandler has no current plans to expand Gilbert Road and Hunt Highway, but we know that traffic impacts are one of the concerns expressed by residents.
Lewis says they will try to minimize possible effects on neighboring businesses and local residents. “The Community has always been a good neighbor, sensitive to the needs of our members and the communities we live beside and partner with,” he said.
The Gila River Indian Community already operates the Wild Horse Pass Casino and Lone Butte Casino, both near Chandler, as well as the Vee Quiva Casino near Laveen.
