Hopi Tribe may ok gaming in the City of Winslow

The Hopi Tribe of Northern Arizona, which has been facing great financial strain and could possibly see the shutdown of their Mohave Generating Station in 2006, has been looking at the gain that could result from opening a casino.

The 12,000-member tribe has opposed gaming throughout history and has always rejected the idea of opening a casino for cultural, religious and political reasons.

The tribe has been consulting with a private special gambling task force that has recommended the tribe to rethink their position on gaming. The task force informed the tribe a casino in Winslow would be an excellent opportunity for them to regain financial stability.

If the tribe decided to build a casino and hotel in Winslow, the task force speculates a net annual profit of $8 million to $9 million.

Winslow Mayor Jim Boles said, “a Hopi-owned casino in Winslow would be completely up to the tribe. The tribe already owns the land where the casino would be located. The location the tribe is considering is the old hat factory, as many of us know, is located at the west end of town.”

Boles explained that city or county zoning codes will not affect the proposed site because the tribe already owns the land, which is actually located in Coconino County. The City would, however, benefit from services offered to the casino such as, employment opportunities, utility taxes and police and fire services.

“We hope whatever decision the tribe makes will benefit the Hopi Tribe as well as the City of Winslow,” he added.

John MacDonald spokesman for the Hopi tribe said they would not be making any decisions about gaming any time soon.

“The tribe is looking into several different gaming options, a casino may or may not be one of those options. Another option may be taking their gaming rights and transferring them to another tribe,” said MacDonald.