Phoenix, Arizona's Mayor Phil Gordon announced Tuesday that he will no longer be pursuing the plan of bringing slots and other gaming to the Sky Harbor International Airport. Gordon's idea of bringing slots to the airport was to increase Phoenix's revenue whose weak economy has recently declined. The slots idea was just one of many that Mayor Gordon has proposed. He is not discouraged that this idea has been shot down and has further pledged to the Maricoba County tribal leaders that he will no longer pursue the proposal of slots in the airport any further.

The Maricoba County tribal leaders have voiced concerns that the legalization of gambling at the airport would be like 'opening up Pandora's box', leading to the legalization of gambling in Arizona bars and racetracks. Gaming in Arizona was voted upon in 2002 by the community and allowing gambling at the Sky Harbor International Airport will void that decision, furthermore eliminating rules that were set to limit the number of slot machines, gaming tables and number of casinos the tribes are allowed to build and run.

Mayor Gordon states that he will remain committed to finding new inventive ways to build back the revenue that has been recently lost. When one door closes, another is said to open. Brainstorming new ideas is something Gordon promises to do. Gordon is quoted as saying "A lot of these ideas will be reject, but a lot of them, I hope, will be able to be adopted. Out of this idea, other opportunities will come".

- 2008-07-23