Nambe Pueblo begins work on its first tribal casino

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – Work has begun on the Nambe Pueblo’s first casino after years of negotiation and planning.

The Santa Few New Mexican reports the small facility about 16 miles north of Santa Fe will feature 180 slot machines and no gaming tables.

An official groundbreaking ceremony will be held Friday, but construction is already underway at the site.

Albuquerque firm Development Services Group & Associates is developing the project, and CEO Matt Doyle said the facility will establish the tribe’s footprint in New Mexico’s 14-tribe casino industry.

Nambe Pueblo has been talking about getting into the casino business for 20 years. Initial plans were for a 50,000-square-foot building with 500 slot machines and a theme park.

The casino under construction will be a fraction of that size at 7,310 square feet.

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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com