The anticipated details of the newest casino in Arizona have been released as construction gets underway. Work has begun on the second Desert Diamond Casino in Phoenix and the fifth in Arizona.
Phase 1 of construction, building the casino, should be complete by late 2024. The second phase will look to add a hotel, pool and spa, conference center, and amphitheater.
Tribe’s other Desert Diamond Casino in West Valley is much larger
Arizona online casinos are still prohibited in the state. Players can play online in sweepstakes and social casinos, but not for real money. There are currently 26 casinos in Arizona, all of them operated by Native American tribes. The new Desert Diamond will be the 27th.
The fifth Desert Diamond Casino will be smaller than the other West Valley casino, which is more than a million square feet.
The $450 million venture by Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise will be located on more than 100 acres of land taken into a trust by the federal government on behalf of the Native American Nation, according to the Arizona Republic. The new 184,000-square-foot casino will sport 900 slot machines, 30 tables games like blackjack and roulette, as well as a poker room, sportsbook, and the typical dining establishments.
In comparison, the other West Valley casino, also owned by the Tohono O’odham tribe, currently offers 1,400 slots, more than 30 table games, and a sportsbook, among other amenities. It took more than two years to construct and opened in February 2020.
New Desert Diamond will be near Luke Air Force Base
The groundbreaking ceremony on the newest Desert Diamond took place on April 5. It is expected to create more than 5,000 construction jobs in addition to more than 1,000 permanent jobs once the casino and resort are open.
The Tohono O’odham tribe was mum about the details of the casino until recently. It will be located near Luke Air Force Base off the Loop 303 in Phoenix. It will be about 10 miles from the tribe’s other West Valley casino.
The casino resort will also be near the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium and Falcon Dunes Golf Course.
Two of the tribe’s other Desert Diamond casinos are in Tucson. The last one is south of Ajo.
