Commercial Development Shaping Up on Lands Near Arizona Casinos

Arizona’s tribal casino industry: The state’s revenue-generating machine

 

At the end of December last year, Arizona’s Hopi Tribe struck a deal with Arizona that allowed them to operate or lease up to nine hundred slot machines, thus becoming the last tribe of the state to have done so. The state’s tribal casino industry has already become a revenue-generating machine, with tribal casinos and slot machines contributing about $25 billion between 2004 and 2007. Currently, there are sixteen tribes running twenty-four casinos in Arizona. But the state’s casino industry is not only contributing huge amounts to the coffers but also drawing the attention of big-shot investors.

 

In December, the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino worth $400 million was inaugurated in Arizona, creating enough buzz to get investors interested in possible development opportunities in the surrounding tribal areas. The Desert Diamond West Valley Casino will boast five restaurants, a huge 75,00 sq ft area of slot machines, poker, bingo, and blackjack to the Loop 101 and Northern Avenue. This would be a great upgrade from the slot machine-one facility that the same area had since 2015.

 

The Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, built in 1994, was another contributor towards the development of the area. The casino is now up for an upgrade, adding more restaurants, ballroom space, guestrooms, and a multi-tainment center. The emerging casinos have certainly changed the area from a rocky desert to a lavish gambling destination. There’s no wonder the big-shot commercial investors would covet this area for their next investment. Some investors were intrigued when the community purchased the Phoenix Regional Airport, which was upgraded and given a new name, the Ak-Chin Regional Airport.

 

The impact on communities

 

The tribal casino industry has always played a major role in the lives of Arizona’s tribal communities. Besides creating employment, boosting tourism, and generating revenue for communities, the tribal casino industry has also given a boost to their recognition. The horizon for growth and development of the tribal areas is only broadening as communities grow.

 

The Ak-Chin community intends to expand their casino into the neighboring farmlands by adding more amenities and features, which will, in turn, accentuate the growth of the area. Businesses that are looking for investment opportunities in the area should perhaps start with the Ak-Chin and Maricopa Community, as they are perfect places to lead a balanced life. Given this, it’s no surprise to see new projects coming up in these areas and turning them into thriving gambling hubs.