Every so often, I meet a leader whose perspective is shaped by the long view — someone who’s been in the work long enough to see how small decisions turn into generational change. That’s the feeling I had while speaking with Amanda Sampson Lomayesva, Interim CEO of Casino Del Sol. With more than twenty years of serving the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, her focus is steady: community, economic stability, and creating opportunities that will outlast all of us. And that lens is exactly what’s guiding the tribe’s ambitious year ahead.
And if our conversation is any indicator, 2026 will be one of the most significant years in their modern history.
The first priority: Opening Casino Del Sol Vahi Taa’am
The very first thing Amanda talked about — before technology, before partnerships, before anything else — was the tribe’s new property opening in fall 2026.
Located at Grant Road and I-10, the new site will be called Casino Del Sol Vahi Taa’am (pronounced vah-hee tah-ahm). “Vahi Taa’am” means “Three Suns” in Yoeme, the language of the Pascua Yaqui people.
“Choosing Vahi Taa’am reflects the culture, language, and vision of the tribe,” Amanda said. “It symbolizes light and speaks to a bright future for our team members, guests, and the greater Tucson community.”
The new property extends the tribe’s footprint into an underserved area of Tucson. Amanda emphasized that the experience will align with what guests already appreciate about Casino Del Sol — the strong brand, the quality of the casino environment, and the Sol service their teams are known for. It will carry those same standards, offered in a new location that more Tucson residents will be able to access easily.
Why this expansion matters
Amanda didn’t frame the project as a business move. She framed it as economic stability.
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe invests heavily in education, housing, wellness, and support for its membership. A third property allows that work to continue and expand. “This will be so beneficial to the Tribe and all of its members,” she said. “It allows us to better serve the community.”
Amanda is passionate that sustainable economic development is how a tribe takes care of its people for generations.
Investing in people: A leadership pipeline with depth
One of the things the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is known for, and something I’ve personally admired for years, is their investment in developing their own people. Not as a slogan — as a requirement.
During our conversation, Amanda talked about how Tribal Council regularly asks for updates on the number of tribal members and descendants working in the enterprise. Not just in entry-level roles, but moving up, gaining skills, taking on responsibility.
That commitment is visible at the very top. Two of their general managers are Pascua Yaqui tribal members. Several executives and department heads are citizens of other nations. Amanda herself moved up through years of work, development, and trust.
These things don’t happen by accident. They happen because a tribe makes the decision to develop its future leaders long before they hold a title.
Technology and the modern gaming environment
When we transitioned into talking about technology, Amanda approached it the way most leaders in Indian gaming do these days — not with buzzwords, but with the reality of balancing innovation, security, compact considerations, and guest experience.
There are conversations happening internally about cashless options, mobile app expansion, and systems upgrades, but she made it clear that the work is thoughtful and deliberate. Nothing is being pushed out without understanding how it affects the guest, the team, and the regulatory landscape.
In today’s gaming environment — where every technology choice affects ten others — that kind of measured approach is not just smart, it’s necessary.
Closing our conversation: The Casino Del Sol Stadium partnership
The very last topic we discussed was the one making national headlines: the 20-year naming rights partnership between Casino Del Sol and the University of Arizona.
This agreement renames the iconic venue Casino Del Sol Stadium and stands as the largest naming-rights partnership in Big 12 history. It’s a major investment, but more importantly, it reflects a shared commitment to education, community, and long-term partnership.
For the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, this isn’t about placing a logo on a building. It’s about visibility, representation, and being part of a regional story that includes their history and their future.
“For us to be able to do the naming rights as Casino Del Sol Stadium is thrilling, and I think it will really benefit the property and the Tribe.”
It also affirms something many of us in tribal gaming already know: Tribal enterprises are shaping the economic and cultural landscape of their regions in ways that go far beyond gaming.
Looking ahead
When I asked Amanda what she’s most looking forward to in 2026, she didn’t give a long list. She didn’t talk in abstracts. She came back to her team and the work directly in front of them.
“Getting that third casino open,” she said. And then she mentioned what any strong leader would — momentum.
That’s what this year represents for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Between Vahi Taa’am and Casino Del Sol Stadium, 2026 isn’t simply a next step. It’s a continuation of a vision that has been decades in the making: building opportunity, honoring culture, and moving forward with purpose.
