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Fountain Hills council approves Turf Paradise off‑track wagering at Parkview Tap House, 5‑1
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Summary
After public debate and resident concerns about gambling addiction, the council voted 5‑1 to allow Turf Paradise to operate off‑track pari‑mutuel wagering at Parkview Tap House. Staff said the activity is governed by state statute and local approval is part of the state process.
The Fountain Hills Town Council voted 5‑1 to approve Turf Paradise’s request to allow off‑track pari‑mutuel wagering at Parkview Tap House after a public hearing in which residents and council members raised questions about addiction, local impacts and enforcement.
Town staff explained that state statutes permit off‑track betting but require local concurrence as part of the state approval process. John, a town staff member, told the council there are no local ordinances specifically governing off‑track wagering, leaving council discretion to grant or deny the local consent the state seeks.
David Johnson, vice president of Turf Paradise, traveled from Avondale to present the application and described Turf Paradise’s operations. “Our primary activity is between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.,” Johnson said, adding that Arizona Department of Gaming and FBI background checks are conducted for people involved in the activity and that Turf Paradise operates daytime, non‑nighttime sessions in many locations.
Residents speaking during public comment were split. Supporters argued the activity would keep local residents in town, generating food‑and‑beverage sales and sales tax revenue. One resident said letters from nearby tribes showed no opposition. Opponents urged caution, citing addiction risks and public‑safety concerns; Gene Slugta, a 31‑year resident, said gambling addiction can lead to higher suicide rates and argued Fountain Hills lacks the infrastructure of larger cities to manage those problems.
Council members debated whether to require addiction‑treatment provisions, special signage, or other mitigations. Staff said there is no current local requirement that the applicant provide a gambling‑support program as a condition of the permit; any such requirement would be separate from the state’s licensing authority.
Councilmember McMahon cast the lone no vote. The motion to approve the request carried 5‑1 on a roll call vote. The approval grants local consent for the state permitting process to proceed; any state conditions remain under the state’s authority.
The council did not adopt additional local gambling‑treatment requirements during this meeting. The item will be implemented through the applicant’s next steps with state regulators.
