Group identifies casino sites

By Brian Hassler
Staff Writer

SHIPROCK — With casino gaming already planned for at least one site on the reservation, a study commissioned by the Navajo Nation identified six locations that would be ideal for gaming.

The study, run by GVA Marquette Advisors, was given to the Navajo Nation in April of 2005 and explained the top six sites for President Joe Shirley, Jr., in his plans for fast-tracking a casino.

"We are aware of the Nation's desire to initiate the gaming strategy through a fast track process," states the report. "This type of approach, properly managed, can support the Navajo Nation's desire to initiate the strategy in a timely manner."

Aside from the site in Nahata Dziil that President Shirley announced during his state of the nation address and plans for a casino in Shiprock, the report issued to the Nation points to the I-40/Gallup area, Cameron, Ariz., Page, Ariz., and Chinle, Ariz., as the best locations for casinos in Shirley's fast-track plan.

But how serious is the nation about the report and what are the plans for the use of the report?

"We take it real serious because we asked for it, paid for it and use it as guidance," said George Hardeen, of the Office of the President and Vice President. "We left the number of locations up to them (GVA Marquette), and this is what they do. They looked at the demographics because we needed data, empirical data, to know what we're talking about. Lots of chapters would like a casino, but it wouldn't work. The bottom line is revenue, revenue for the chapters and revenue for the Navajo Nation."

The report not only points to the areas that would be most likely to succeed, but also explains the tourism opportunities, location opportunities and even the gas stations and businesses in the area that would help to lead to a successful transition for a casino.

Early in the report GVA points out that this report didn't include state or federal restrictions and that any environmental effects.

"The question which this report attempts to answer is 'What are the general areas on Navajo lands which will support a strategy of maximizing earnings from the gaming business for the Navajo Nation?'," adds the GVA.

While such a plan does list Shiprock as a location and meetings have taken place between the Shiprock Chapter and the office of the president, there are still steps that will need to be taken before Shiprock is ready for a casino.

"Shiprock seems to be one of the best prepared but the Navajo Nation still needs to select developers," said Hardeen. "Once that's done, President Shirley wants this on a fast track and wants it done as quickly as possible but it can't be done overnight."

Though Shiprock introduced a possible developer at a recent meeting, the final decision concerning the developer will be made by the Navajo Nation and approved by the office of the President. Chapters that pursue agreements with developers without going through the proper channels in the Navajo Nation will find the agreement to be null and void.

As far as which developers are being considered to handle casino development on the reservation, the names of the companies under consideration have been kept confidential by the Navajo Nation legal department.

"I know Shiprock has expressed interest and that's fine but who might be selected as a developer, I can't say. It's a confidential matter because we're dealing with potentially millions and millions of dollars. Even the office of the president hasn't been told which developers are on the list," said Hardeen.

Regardless of the search for developers, the Navajo Nation plans on following the suggestions in the report and is planning on building at least six casinos throughout the reservation in the near future.