Fire Rock celebrates seven years

Posted by Alysa Landry | Nov 25, 2015 | Business |

CHURCH ROCK, N.M.

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise board member Christina Haskell, center, cuts the ribbon to officially open Cheii Grill & Pub at Fire Rock Casino on Nov. 19.

Seven years ago, the Navajo Nation burst onto the gaming scene with its flagship casino located on Historic Route 66.

Fire Rock Navajo Casino opened in November 2008, amid cheers from supporters who welcomed gaming to the impoverished reservation and criticism from others who believed the Nation was joining the gaming industry too late.

Within the first four months, however, the casino was pulling in three times its expected revenues and the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise installed 135 more slot machines, bringing the total to 681. Now, the 64,000-square-foot structure houses 917 slot machines, nine table games, roulette, bingo and virtual horse racing.

During an event Nov. 12 held to commemorate the seventh anniversary of Navajo gaming, casino officials also reopened Cheii Grill & Pub, which boasts an upgraded kitchen, expanded menu and new executive chef. “Seven years means we persevered,” said Derrick Watchman, chief executive officer of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise.

“That we’re still growing, improving, is a testament to our stamina and to our dedication to keep moving forward.” T

he tribe joined the industry 20 years after other tribes, but early supporters envisioned a casino along Route 66 when the highway was still the main thoroughfare in the area.

Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985, just three years before Indian gaming was legalized.