3 of a Kind for Arizona Gaming
The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday denied an injunction request by dog and horse track owners, opening the way for Gov. Jane Dee Hull to immediately sign casino agreements with Native American tribes.
It was the third time in three days that the tracks petitioned a state court for a stay preventing the implementation of Proposition 202, a measure to expand gambling on tribal lands that was approved by voters Nov. 5.
After hearing oral arguments Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Michael Ryan quickly denied the request without comment.
“We’re pleased now that three courts have rebuffed the racetracks’ efforts to prevent the signing of compacts,” said Scott Bales, a private attorney representing the state.
Under Proposition 202, the number of slot machines will be increased, and casinos can add Las Vegas-style, house-banked blackjack, a game which was not allowed previously.
In exchange, the tribes will give the state up to 8% of revenue, depending on how much the tribes take in.
Currently, the state gets no money from the 22 casinos run by 15 tribes in Arizona.
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