News

Gaming compact breaks through latest hurdle

By Colleen Keane and Andrew Curley
Navajo Times

SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 6, 2014

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(Colleen Keane - Special to the Times)


TOP: Group Photo with President Shelly and some of the supporters of the Navajo Nation's gaming compact with the state of New Mexico at yesterday's committee meeting.

BOTTOM: Fire Rock Casino staff applaud the vote that takes the Navajo Nation gaming compact one step farther at yesterday's committee meeting.


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The New Mexico legislature's Committee on Compacts voted 12-4 on Wednesday to move the compact forward to the state legislature unamended, which has the potential of allowing two more Navajo casinos in New Mexico.

Previously, the committee had amended the compact to restrict the Nation to its current three casinos.

Arriving early, Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and his wife Martha Shelly sat in the front row of the third floor committee room at the state capitol building. Showing their support, several Fire Rock casino staff members sat behind them wearing bright turquoise T- shirts with "Navajo Gaming" imprinted on the front and the insignias of all the Nation's casinos on the back.

"This is a great day for New Mexico," said Sen. John Pinto (D-District 3) during a press conference after the vote came down.

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