President Joe Biden signed the Pascua Tribal Act over the holidays, legislation that could pave the way for a new Tucson-based casino in Arizona. The Act designates the Tribe’s ‘Old Pascua Land’ as sovereign Native American territory, which has raised hopes for a new gaming project.
The Old Pascua Land encompasses ‘the area south of West Grant Road, east of Interstate 10, north of West Calle Adelanto, and west of North 15th Avenue.’ Biden’s affirmation of the land’s Tribal sovereignty means that US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s office must “accept and take (the Act) into trust for the benefit of the Tribe.”
In 2019, Tucson officials entered into an agreement with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, in anticipation of the land officially being deemed sovereign and the Tribe opening a casino on-premises as a result.
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe has already agreed to make “payments in lieu of tax” with the Tucson City Council. It will give 2.6% of casino retail sales to the city, as well as 2% of food sales (including alcohol) and entertainment revenue, plus a $4 per day charge on each occupied guest room.
The 40-acre parcel of land is considered to be in a prime location, with the Tribe having bought the grounds of a former movie complex in 2011. This abandoned Century Park 16 theater is adjacent to Interstate 10 – one of the busiest highways in Arizona.
However, a casino on the newly sovereign land will likely be at least several years away from opening, with no specifics regarding the scope of construction given as of yet.
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe already operates Casino del Sol Resort and Casino of the Sun in the greater Tucson area. A new casino located at the Old Pascua Land would be Tucson’s fifth, with the Tohono O’odham Nation owning the other two.
