October 29, 2024 marks the 40-year anniversary of the introduction of gaming in Arizona, an initiative led by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation when they opened Ba’Ja Bingo in 1984. The tribal council president at the time, Dr. Clinton M. Pattea, helped lead the way for the success of tribal gaming, not just in Arizona, but throughout the U.S. His vision for the future of tribal gaming continues to help guide the tribe’s planning and decision-making today.
Dr. Pattea was the father of Sandra Pattea, who was inaugurated as President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation this past February. His father, Sandra’s grandfather, also served on the tribal council, illustrating a multi-generational legacy of service and dedication to the community.
The History of Gaming in Arizona
In the early 1980s, after a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision eliminated legal obstacles, some tribes around the nation began offering bingo in order to generate revenue. This included the Seminole Tribe of Florida who opened a bingo hall in 1979, and the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin who followed suit shortly thereafter.
The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation was the first Arizona tribe to offer bingo, starting in 1982. In 1984, they opened Ba’Ja Bingo, the first bingo parlor in Arizona – on the site of the former Fort McDowell Casino – to create new jobs and generate much-needed revenue for the tribe.
Ba’Ja Bingo’s Evolution into the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
Ba’Ja Bingo was an enormous success from the beginning. Nestled on the reservation in the spectacular setting of the Sonoran Desert, the bingo hall not only attracted tribal members, but local residents and visitors to the area as well – quickly creating a very loyal following.
Over time, the facility was renamed as the Fort McDowell Casino, and greatly expanded its offerings to include slot machines, card tables, restaurants, and more.
Throughout the years, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation also added new enterprises, including a AAA Four-Diamond hotel, the award-winning We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Fort McDowell Adventures, Eagle View RV Resort, Ba’Ja Gas, Fort McDowell Yavapai Materials and the Fort McDowell Farm.
In October 2020, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation unveiled a state-of-the-art, 166,341 sq. ft. casino that replaced the old Fort McDowell Casino and raised the bar for Arizona casinos. Designed with Native American architectural nuances, the new casino opened as a 100% smoke-free facility in the middle of the pandemic, implementing COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure guests’ health and peace of mind as it ramped up operations. Despite the challenges of opening during a global health crisis, the new casino flourished – and continues to do so to this day.
Today, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort boasts 930 of the most popular slot machines; a variety of table games, including blackjack and roulette; sports betting at WKP Sports & Entertainment; and bingo in a room that comfortably seats 750. While bingo represents only a small portion of the total gaming revenue, the tribe remains loyal to the game that started it all for them.
While many tribal members do enjoy playing, most of the bingo patrons are non-Indians. Bingo remains popular, particularly among older generations, and continues to provide good jobs for tribal members and non-Indians alike.
“Given our location and small size, it has always been challenging to implement successful economic development strategies that provide employment for our people, generate revenue to support our tribal government, and provide essential services to our tribal members, but we have been able to overcome those challenges,” said Sandra Pattea, President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. “Gaming was a form of entertainment that we felt could anchor other hospitality businesses we had been planning. Our We-Ko-Pa Resort, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Eagle View RV Park and Fort McDowell Adventures all contribute to the growth of the We-Ko-Pa Casino and vice versa.”
The casino also offers a variety of casual and fine-dining outlets and live entertainment and is attached to a 246-room hotel that boasts luxurious accommodations, lavish amenities and a day spa.
Indian Gaming in Arizona Today
Fort McDowell led the way for gaming in Arizona with the opening of Ba’ Ja Bingo 40 years ago, and established the legal and market foundations for future expanded gaming in the Phoenix market. Today, the Phoenix market will soon contain 10 Las Vegas-style casinos, showing how far gaming has come over the past four decades. Throughout the state, there are 26 Indian casinos operated by 16 Arizona tribes.
“Gaming has been a part of our tribal community for the past four decades and has allowed us to provide financial security for our members and employees,” said Pattea, who has focused on Indian gaming, enterprise operations, governmental and tribal issues during her first six months in office. “We look forward to it continuing to help our people – and the surrounding Fountain Hills community and greater Phoenix area – over the next 40 years.”
For more information about the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, visit www.wekopacasinoresort.com.