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Judge says lawsuit over Tohono O'odham casino in Glendale will head to trial

Posted at 7:21 PM, Dec 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-20 07:33:39-05

A federal judge says a lawsuit pitting a southern Arizona tribe against the state over the tribe's Glendale casino will require a full trial to decide.

Judge David Campbell on Monday refused to find in favor of the Tohono O'Odham Nation in its suit over Arizona's refusal to grant a fulling tribal gambling permit for the casino.

The state claims the tribe engaged in fraud by concealing its intent to build the casino during negotiations for a 2003 gambling agreement.

The state says the tribe promised not to open a Phoenix-area casino. The tribe contends the agreement and federal law allows the casino.

The casino near Glendale opened last year with limited gambling because the state won't issue needed certificates.

A trial is expected sometime next year.