First Gaming Site in Arizona To Open Soon

President Joe Shirley told the Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, August 2, that the Navajo Nation could have a contract to construct a temporary casino in Navajo, Arizona next Friday, August 11.

Shirley said there are still issues that needs clarification before Nahata Dziil will be the home of the Navajo Nation's first casino. "That has been a stumbling block. We're trying to work our way through all of that to where hopefully we will see a first permanent casino go up in Nahata Dziil."

"But otherwise, while we're working on Nahata Dziil and some of the other areas, we have sent a letter to the Nation's Hospitality board to give them the go-ahead to talk about putting a casino, a temporary structure, on lands at Navajo, Arizona." Shirley added.

"They have the go-ahead to really begin to talk about construction. It's a large site, and working with our controller, we're trying to put a contract in place with a developer." Additional land to the site was added by the Hospitality Enterprise.

He said, "But how, bringing this developer in, the developer is saying that he can do the finances too; so, we're negotiating that contract at the moment and I'm hoping by the time we get to the in-depth discussion on you concerns next Friday, we'll have the contract in place.

According to the president, once the contract was in place, the phase of the construction would be faster. "Very possibly we will see the first casino in short order here at Navajo, Arizona, working with the Hospitality Enterprise."