Gila River Resort Casino to Relocate and Expand

The Gila River Indian Community is relocating and plans to move its largest casino closer to Interstate 10 and into a "casino resort" with a 250-room hotel, 2,300-seat entertainment hail and a parking garage at Gila River.

The Gila River Gaming Enterprise will be built northwest of 1-10 and Wild Horse Pass Boulevard. Construction is scheduled to begin next spring.

The new resort casino is scheduled to open 2008 summer. The resort casino will include a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor, 10-storey hotel, entertainment venue, conference facilities, stores, nightclub, multiple restaurants, lounge and health club.

The Gila River officials said the old casino does not have enough room for Las Vegas- style entertainers. The consultants have advised that the casino should be rebuilt. If the casino expands and relocated the visitors would increase by 15-20 percent.

Harold Baugus Jr., chief executive officer of Gila River Gaming Enterprises Inc said "It will be right next to one of the busiest freeways in America. And since the demographics are primarily local, that is extremely crucial."

As for the current building it has not been decided yet on what to do with it, said Don Antone, vice chairman of the Gila River Casino Expansion Owner's Team and a former Gila River governor.