Fire Rock rolls out the red carpet

(Times photo - Donovan Quintero)

Fire Rock Casino worker Katherine Chuyate, right, greets one of the first customers to enter the casino during its grand opening Wednesday in Church Rock, N.M.


By Bill Donovan
Special to the Times

WINDOW ROCK, Nov. 20, 2008

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(Times photo - Donovan Quintero)


TOP PHOTO: From right, President Joe Shirley Jr., first lady Vikki Shirley and Vice President Ben Shelly cut the ribbon to open the first Navajo-owned casino, Fire Rock, Wednesday in Church Rock, N.M.

BOTTOM PHOTO: Customers patiently stand in line and wait to go inside the Fire Rock Navajo Casino during its grand opening Wednesday in Church Rock, N.M.




 

A fter decades of talk and controversy, the Navajo Nation on Wednesday joined the Indian gaming community with the opening of the tribe's first casino near Gallup.

The Fire Rock Casino is still a work in progress but the tribe is expecting thousands of people to visit in the next few days to check out the place and do a lot of gambling.

Several hundred people showed up for the VIP opening on Sunday. This was less than half the number expected but casinos officials said it was enough to allow casino workers a chance to get some actual practice.

Those who did show up were given little bags containing silver mugs and vouchers they could use to play the games. Since this was practice, no one actually lost or won any money.

It was probably a good thing that the dealers had a chance to practice, since it was obvious that some needed more time.

One blackjack player said he was paid as a winner even though he had 22 points showing and should have busted. Other players were paid when they showed 17 points to the dealer's 18 points.

But casino officials said these problems were caused more by nervousness than the lack of an ability to count to 21 and that once the dealers settled in a routine - hopefully by yesterday's grand opening - everything would be all right.

The casino is now officially open with staggered hours. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Monday through Thursday, closing between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on those days. It is open 24 hours a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Navajo Police were out in force at Sunday's by-invitation-only unveiling with 14 officers on site.

The tribe recently reached an agreement with the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise to be the first responder if there's a need for police protection. The McKinley County Sheriff's Department would act as backup.

Although visitors on Sunday were not allowed to go into the back where the casino's security is located, security officials said that everything was in place and that the casino was being protected by state-of-the-art equipment and a staff made up totally of Navajos, who would be responsible for observing the casino floor and the gaming tables every minute that the casino is open.

The casino is still not up to full staff, however, with about 240 employees on opening day instead of a full crew of 270. As a result, there will be some limits in the gambling.



For example, only Texas Hold 'Em will be played at the poker table. Plans are to add Omaha High tables in the next couple of months when more dealers are hired and trained.

There was also some discussion by visitors Sunday about the casino's position on Indian craft sales and whether Navajo artisans will be allowed to go into the casino to sell their wares, as is the custom in many local restaurants.

Ray Etsitty, general counsel for the gaming enterprise, said craftspeople will not be allowed to roam the casino floor selling their wares and because of security reasons will not be allowed to set up stands outside the casino.

The casino will, however, promote Navajo crafts in the gift shop and Etsitty said there are discussions underway on how to provide people an opportunity to sell their wares, One suggestion is a lottery system to provide everyone an equal chance at the right to sell their wares through the gift shop.

There was no liquor served on Sunday and there won't be any served for a while.

Although the casino is located on Navajo land and therefore not subject to New Mexico state alcohol laws, it does have to comply with federal laws.

Casino officials said they are still waiting for approval from the U.S. Interior Department and are hoping to get approval for by-the-drink liquor sales by the end of the month. Until then, the bar will serve only non-alcoholic beverages.

President Joe Shirley Jr., who was among the dignitaries who showed up Sunday, said he was very proud of what the gaming enterprise was able to do in such a short time.

Like most who showed up for the event, he was pleased to see the casino ready for action.

He also voiced pride that the tribe itself had funded the venture.

Other tribes, he said, have had to go outside for financing and management, which meant that a lot of the profits went to outside companies.

By doing it themselves, he said, the Navajos saved 30 percent more in profits retained, and millions on the cost of financing the loan.

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