Arizona: Tohono O’odham tribe announces December 18 opening date for Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks

The Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise (TOGE) will host a grand opening event for its fifth casino property, Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks at San Lucy, on December 18. The new $450 million facility is located near Loop 303 and Northern Parkway, west of Glendale. As part of the grand opening, TOGE will host several celebratory activities throughout the day for Tohono O’odham Nation citizens, dignitaries, and the public.

“Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks is ideally positioned to serve as an economic engine for the fast-growing West Valley,” said Mike Bean, CEO of the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise. “This is the Nation’s fifth facility and the iconic Desert Diamond Casino brand is synonymous with unmatched entertainment experience and outstanding guest service. We look forward to creating positive new opportunities for the Tohono O’odham Nation, the West Valley, and Arizona.”

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks is expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs. The facility features a 184,000 sq. ft. casino floor, including 900 Class III slot machines, a poker room, a retail sportsbook, and table games including blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. 

Desert Diamond Casino render, Arizona

The new facility will be home to multiple restaurant options, including a Starbucks coffee shop. Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks will also be the only casino in Arizona to feature high-end restaurant Morton’s The Steakhouse.

Construction of the project began in April 2023 and the Hunt/Penta Joint Venture served as the general contractor, while JCJ Architecture led the design. More than 5,500 construction jobs were created over the past 19 months, TOGE said.

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks will eventually expand to include a hotel, conference center, an outdoor pool and recreational amenities, and an amphitheater with event lawn space.

“Completion of the Nation’s fifth facility has been extraordinarily significant for the Tohono O’odham Nation,” said Jacob Moore, Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise Board.

“It would not have been possible without the leadership of the Tohono O’odham Nation, the support of our amazing team members and the efforts of the thousands of construction professionals on the project. We cannot wait to unveil this beautiful new facility to the community on December 18.”