Desert Diamond West Valley Casino has obtained a long-sought liquor license, allowing it to serve beer, wine and liquor.

The tribal casino near Glendale’s sports and entertainment district opened in late 2015 with a large bar and a smaller service area that served soda and other non-alcoholic beverages. That changed at 5 p.m. Aug. 11.

The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control approved the license Aug. 3 as part of a settlement between the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise and the state, which had been locked in legal battles since the tribe announced the casino in 2009.

Along with the liquor license, the settlement will allow the tribe to eventually add table games such as blackjack. For now, the casino only has slot machines. The tribe announced in July that it will begin building a 1 million-square-foot resort, with a full-scale casino, by the end of the year.

As part of the settlement, the tribe agreed not to build any more casinos in the Phoenix metro area in the foreseeable future. 

Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise CEO Andy Asselin said the casino is ready to use its new liquor license immediately. 

“This is a day we have been looking forward to and our staff is fully trained and ready to go,” Asselin said in a written statement. “Alcohol service has been a top request of our guests since we opened, and we are excited to now offer this amenity.”

READ MORE:

Desert Diamond Casino to begin massive expansion by year’s end

What you need to know about the West Valley casino settlement

Arizona, tribe strike deal for blackjack, other table games at West Valley casino

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