Casino Arizona News

• Gila River Casino Closing
• New Casino Opening In Arizona
• New Fort Mcdowell Casino
• Casino Reopening Date Arizona

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Many Arizona casinos have temporarily closed as part of efforts to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, also referred to as Navajo Gaming, was among the first to temporarily shutter its casino, Twin Arrows Casino Resort in Flagstaff, on March 17 through April 6.

• Some Phoenix-area casinos are tightening safety measures as Arizona's COVID-19 cases climb. Several Phoenix-area casinos, including Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, Gila Rivers Hotels & Casinos and Fort.
• A 38-year-old man was arrested Friday after he allegedly impersonated a cop and kidnapped two people who had won some money and were leaving Desert Diamond Casino on Jan.

Quincy Natay, chairman of the Navajo Gaming Board of Directors, noted that on top of general public health concerns, Navajo Gaming was especially concerned with the spread of the coronavirus among older populations.

“This public health crisis requires all of us to stand together to protect those most vulnerable in our communities, including our respected elders,' Natay said in a statement.

The decision to close or remain open was within the authority of each sovereign nation, according to the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Many tribal and non-tribal casinos across the country, in places such as Las Vegas, Michigan, Mississippi and Connecticut, have closed.

Arizona casinos temporarily close

Many casinos around Arizona initially took steps to increase sanitation and postpone concerts. By mid-March, more began to temporarily shut down to prevent the spread of the virus. Some have since extended those closures. Here's the latest:

Gila River Hotels & Casinos: The Gila River Indian Community, which operates Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte near Chandler and Vee Quiva near Laveen, closed the casinos beginning on March 18. They are scheduled to reopen on April 30.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino: Caesars announced on March 17 a temporarily shut down of all properties in North America. Caesars' 55 world-wide locations includes Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino, operated by the Ak-Chin Indian Community in Maricopa. The Ak-Chin Tribal Council released its own statement on March 18, saying the council had 'full support' in temporarily closing the resort and casino. 'Although Caesars Entertainment announced closures of its casinos earlier in the week, as a managed property, the ultimate decision to close Harrah’s Ak-Chin was made by the Tribal Council,' they said in a statement.

Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort: The properties on the Salt River Reservation east of Scottsdale temporarily suspended casino and resort operations through April 30. The two locations are operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Fort McDowell Casino: This location, operated by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, is closed until further notice, according to its website.

Gila River Casino Closing

Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment: The three locations in southern Arizona (Tucson, Sahuarita and Why) and one near Glendale, all are owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, an enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation. All are temporarily closed through April 23.

Bucky's Casino and Yavapai Casino: These Prescott casinos on Highway 69, run by the Yavapai-Prescott tribe, temporarily suspended operations on March 19 through April 3.

Cliff Castle: The Camp Verde-based casino remains closed until further notice. A notice on the website says leadership is 'monitoring the situation day-by-day to plan our reopening.'

Of the Arizona casinos to close, no location has reported any COVID-19 cases among staff or guests. In a statement, Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Hotels & Casinos, said it was instead 'an ethical decision to protect our team members and our guests.'

Arizona sees other closures

Arizona gradually ramped up other closures through March. Gov. Doug Ducey initially encouraged Arizonans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new recommendation to cancel events and gatherings with more than 50 people.

Coronavirus in Arizona

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Coronavirus in AZ

Since then, he has issued a statewide public health emergency and mandated bars close and restricted restaurants to take-out or delivery only. On March 30, Ducey declared by executive order that Arizonans 'stay home' and only go outside for exercise or essential business.

Arizona is following @CDCgov's new guidance that large events and mass gatherings be cancelled. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings & other types of assemblies. See more: https://t.co/iLVOk6mixL

New Casino Opening In Arizona

Reach the reporter at kfitzgeral@gannett.com or 480-356-6407. Follow her on Twitter @kfitz134. Reach the reporter Alison Steinbach at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com.

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New Fort Mcdowell Casino

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Casino Reopening Date Arizona

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Some Arizona casinos extend temporary closures during coronavirus pandemic