$180 million renovation marks 25 years of successful Harrah’s partnership with Ak-Chin tribe
by Russ Wiles | Arizona Republic
The main entry to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino and Hotel mirrors traditional Ak-Chin design elements. Photos by Raquel Hendrickson
When the small Ak-Chin Indian Community decided to enter the casino business in the early 1990s, it was a gamble for the tribe.
“In the beginning, some people were skeptical about gaming in our back yard because we didn’t know what problems might arise,” recalled Robert Miguel, the tribe’s chairman.
“We were always farmers,” he said. “Gaming was something new.”
But as the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino near Maricopa marks its 25th anniversary — the project broke ground on May 26,1994, and opened seven months later — the venture appears to be a solid success.
