August 10
In New Mexico, the Jicarilla Apache Nation
opened its brand new casino last week south of
Dulce. The casino is 12,000 square feet and is
located on the very busy U.S. Hwy. 550. This is
said to be a prime spot for traffic thru New
Mexico. The new casino offers four blackjack
tables, two poker tables, and 200 various types
of slot machines. The exact time the casino
opened is said to be last Friday at noon.
The northern New Mexico Jicarilla Apache
Nation constructed the large building that
resembles a blue and white bubble back in 1998.
The plans to build and operate this casino have
been in the making for over six years. There
have been many delays in the process, but the
tribe has said that the time has finally come to
get things rolling.
A recent study including financial
information and field testing showed that it is
expected to be the right time for the casino to
be profitable. The recent study was commissioned
by the tribe.
The casino is said to employ approximately 70
people. The casino will be open for business 9am
- 2am Sunday through Thursday. Fridays and
Saturdays the casino will be open around the
clock.
It is also noted that the tribe has plans to
enlarge the Best Western Hotel in near by Dulce
to the north. They expect to add some 60 rooms
to the Best Western.
The tribe states that they are extremely
pleased and excited to be opening the new casino
noting that they believe the public will benefit
from it.
