4th Quarter Revenue Fell for Arizona's Tribal Casinos

PHOENIX - Tribal-owned casinos in Arizona saw revenue fall 13 percent in last year's fourth quarter.

That follows a 14 percent drop in 2009's third quarter and a 16 percent decline in the fourth quarter of 2008.

But while revenue is down, there have been no large-scale layoffs announced by the state's 23 Indian casinos. The tribes are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to build new Las Vegas-style casino hotel resorts. Most were on the drawing boards long before the recession began in December 2007.

The Gila River Indian Community opened the $200 million Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino south of Phoenix in October. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is investing $450 million in
the Talking Stick Resort slated for an April opening in Scottsdale.

The Tohono O'odham Nation has proposed a similar project in Glendale.