Divided Glendale council OKs agreement for casino

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – A sharply divided Glendale City Council has approved an agreement with a southern Arizona tribe to build a casino adjacent to the suburban city.

The 4-3 vote Tuesday followed months of negotiation and years of litigation and political battles between Glendale and the Tohono O'odham (ODD'-ham) Nation.

Key provisions of the agreement include the tribe paying the city $26 million over 20 years and the city withdrawing from litigation against the project.

The casino would be located near the stadium that is home to the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.

While supporters say the project will provide jobs, opponents criticize its expansion of casino gambling in the Phoenix area, where other tribes already operate several casinos on the outskirts.