Navajo Nation's first casino encounters hurdles

Wednesday, May 14, 2008  

The Navajo Nation plans to open its first casino in New Mexico this year but the tribe is already running into some roadblocks.

The tribe originally planned a July 4 opening for the facility in Church Rock, near Gallup. But that was pushed back to October 15 -- and even that date might not hold due to state and federal issues.

“We would like to hit Oct. 15 but we are looking at November and are trying to speed up to try to get back to October," Ray Etcitty, the general counsel for the Navajo Gaming Enterprise, said last week, The Gallup Independent reported.

Etcitty said the tribe has to gain state approval for a road easement and federal approval for a drainage pipe permit as part of the casino project.

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Churchrock casino may miss deadline (The Gallup Independent 5/13)