Navajo Casinos Have Learned From Other Tribes' Mistakes

The Navajo Nation comprises almost 300,000 people, most of whom are living below the federal poverty level.

After many smaller tribes have turned to casinos for revenue, the populous Navajo Nation now is beginning to seek the benefits available through casino gambling. The Navajos opened their first casino in November, and five other casinos are planned on the vast reservation lands in New Mexico and Arizona.

The Navajos are not new to earning income from gambling, having previously leased some of its federal rights to slots to three smaller tribes, who pay the Navajos $140 million over 17 years for the rights. But the new casinos will help the tribe in many more ways.

Unlike other tribes, the Navajos were wise enough to keep casino management for themselves, avoiding onerous management and consulting fees. Further, the first casino's employees are 92 percent Navajo, an important distinction on a reservation with 50 percent unemployment figures.

The Navajo Nation comprises almost 300,000 people, most of whom are living below the federal poverty level. The first casino, outside Gallup, is estimated to bring the tribe $32 million this year.  Six casinos, located properly near highways and Interstates. will easily allow a vast expansion of tribal services, providing food, roads, and schooling for some of the poorest people in the US.