To'Hajiilee gaming approved

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2001

Gaming has been approved on Navajo lands for the first time in history.

Navajo Nation President Kelsey Begaye on Thursday approved a gambling ordinance for the To'hajiilee community in New Mexico. Although officially part of the Navajo Nation, the To'hajiilee Reservation is located near Albuquerque.

The To'hajiilee council plans opening a 100,000-square-foot casino with 650 slot machines and 30 table games in 2003. A 150-room hotel, a truck stop and RV park are also in the works.

The project is expected to bring in $18 million in profits in the first year and $55 million by the fifth. The project would need New Mexico approval in the form of a compact and investors still have to be chosen.

Get the Story:
To'Hajiilee Gets Casino OK (The Albuquerque Journal 10/26)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org

Related Stories:
Navajo gaming decided this week (10/25)
Navajo Nation council approves gaming (10/19)