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Navajos venturing into new territory — their first casino

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GALLUP, N.M. — The Navajo Indian Tribe opened its first casino Wednesday just east of Gallup, hoping that slot machines, poker and bingo will inject new income into the reservation.

Up to 4,000 people showed up for the Fire Rock Casino's opening, with hundreds waiting outside because the capacity is just 1,800, said Patrick Sandoval, the tribal president's chief of staff.

"It's a beautiful sight," Sandoval said. "What makes it even more beautiful is just the simple fact that as you take a look around, you see a lot of Navajo faces. And as it sinks in deeper, these Navajo faces that are either providing police services, security services, giving you change or helping you in the bingo hall or actually gaming, they are Navajo people, and it's the first time in history we're in our own casino.

"This is ours," he added.

The Navajo Nation paid for the casino, and 92 percent of its employees are Navajo, tribal spokesman George Hardeen said. The tribe isn't paying a management company to run the casino, so it keeps all the profits.

The tribe had long resisted following the path taken by other Indian tribes that have opened casinos. It voted against legalizing gambling on the reservation in 1994 and 1997 over concerns that it would bring increased social ills, such as heavy drinking, and drain the pockets of impoverished Navajos.

The casino — a tentlike structure until a permanent building site is found — is now only one of two places on the reservation where alcohol is served, but it is being limited to the casino's restaurant.

The casino is expected to generate $32 million a year for the Navajo Nation, about a fifth of the annual tribal budget. The 64,000-square-foot Fire Rock Casino has 472 slot machines, 10 table games and a poker room.