Arizona Considers Track Casinos to End Tribal Monopoly
The only present legal gaming in Arizona is animal racing at tracks and slot casinos run at tribal locations. But a plan being advanced by House Majority Whip Andy Tobin would open up Vegas-style casino gambling, including blackjack and table games, at venues around the state.
Tobin says a study by consulting firm the Innovation Group found that adding games to the state's existing tracks would generate $113 million in the first year. By the end of the second year, that number is projected to rise to $415 million, a tidy sum for the state's budget problems.
Arizona voters gave tribes exclusive rights to gaming in 2002, with limits on the types and numbers of games available. But the law allows legislators to expand gaming off the reservation, if they are willing to drop the reservation restrictions.
Indian gaming representatives protested that voters didn't want more convenient gambling, having restricted blackjack, poker and slots to the distant tribal lands. And some state legislators expressed doubts on the idea of increasing gambling.
“We’re billions of dollars in the hole,” Tobin said, noting the budget crisis makes everything different. “There are very few options.”
Tobin said the state's other choices may be to raise taxes or drop educational and social programs. Some politicians commented that the financial situation required consideration of all options.
“Maybe that ought to be one of those items that’s on the table,” Senate President Bob Burns said.
