Within the state of Arizona, the Tohono O’odham and Quechan indigenous groups are engaged in a legal battle to halt a claim initiated by the Yavapai-Prescott Native American Tribe. This lawsuit aims to obstruct the state’s sports wagering initiative, scheduled to commence on September 9th.
The Tohono O’odham tribe, situated in Payson, manages the Mazatzal Casino. Meanwhile, the Quechan tribe, residing on the Fort Yuma Reservation, oversees the Casino del Sol.
In the preceding week, the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe appealed to the Maricopa County Superior Court to impede the enactment of House Bill 2772. This legislation grants sports betting permits to ten commercial entities and ten tribal groups, enabling licensees to commence accepting wagers later this week, specifically on September 9th.
The legal matter is slated for a court hearing later today, September 6th.
The lawsuit also seeks to nullify a revised gaming agreement negotiated by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey with twenty of the state’s twenty-two federally recognized Indian tribes. This agreement received approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior in May.
The Yavapai-Prescott asserts that the legislation is unconstitutional and that their tribe will face unfair disadvantages due to the expanded and novel betting opportunities introduced by the bill and revised compact.
A comprehensive report on this matter can be found on iGB North America.
Sign up for the online gaming newsletter.