TUCSON, Ariz. (September 24, 2021) – Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment is proud to announce that Justin Ruggieri will represent the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise as its new General Counsel. He takes over this key position at an important moment as the Enterprise continues the roll out new gaming opportunities at its four properties near Tucson, Sahuarita, Glendale, and Why (Ajo), Arizona.
Justin Ruggieri has served as Assistant General Counsel to the Enterprise since 2008. His responsibilities have included regulatory compliance, negotiating and drafting commercial contracts, and advising senior management with respect to employment law and general operational matters. Most recently he assisted the Tohono O’odham Nation during the negotiation of the 2021 Amended Gaming Compact.
A 2000 graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, Justin also previously served as Assistant Attorney General for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe from 2001 – 2007, where he advised the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council on governmental matters as well as gaming matters.
He has taught Indian Gaming Law at the Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, where he received the Professor of Practice of the Year award in 2017. He has also presented on a wide array of legal matters, including Indian law and gaming law, over the past 15 years to fellow attorneys and industry professionals.
Mike Bean, CEO of the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said “Justin is ideally suited for General Counsel as we move forward with new opportunities for the Enterprise. He has been playing a key role in our legal efforts for many years and is a welcome addition to the team that will lead our organization into the future.”
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, with three locations in Southern Arizona (Tucson, Sahuarita, and Why) and one in the West Valley, is owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, an enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Additional information can be found at www.ddcaz.com or by calling 866-DDC-WINS. Follow Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment on Twitter (@DiamondCasinos), Facebook (@DDCAZ), and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos).