"The Navajo Nation continues to take steps forward to establish casino gambling on the reservation.

Last Tuesday, the Navajo Nation Council overwhelmingly approved a bill that creates the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise. The organization would oversee and manage any casinos that could eventually be built on Navajo land.

However, there is still plenty of gray area surrounding the tribe's intentions to tap into a potentially lucrative gaming industry. Little public discussion about how the enterprise would be funded and operated has taken place, nor have any potential opening dates for possible casinos been announced.

Navajo Nation voters gave their approval to begin gaming on the reservation in November 2004 by a 60-percent margin. The process since that vote has been quite slow.

Much still has to be considered and decided before the first slot is possibly dropped in a machine at a casino on Navajo land. Sketchy details must transform into clear, well-thought-out plans that truly benefit the Navajo Nation."

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Editorial: Navajo Nation gaming: Proceed with caution (The Farminngton Daily Times 10/2)