Northern Edge Navajo Casino Opens
Third casino debuts on America's largest reservation
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise’s million Northern Edge Navajo Casino opened in January near Farmington, New Mexico. It’s the third casino of the NNGE. The fourth, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino and Resort, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2013 on the Navajo Nation Reservation outside Flagstaff, Arizona.
The 86,000-square-foot Northern Edge offers 750 slot machines, six poker tables, 10 live table games, a full-service restaurant, food court, gift shop and players club. Designed by the Friedmutter Group of Las Vegas and built by a Navajo-owned joint venture Arviso/Okland JV, the casino will showcase Navajo culture, featuring commissioned artwork by Navajo artists including rugs, baskets, wood carvings and pottery.
Bob Winter, chief executive officer of the NNGE, said, “The opening of Northern Edge represents a significant turning point for the economic health and prosperity of the Navajo Nation.”
Added Quincy Natay, NNGE board chairman, “We look forward to welcoming everyone from the region to enjoy genuine Navajo artwork and the best gaming facility anywhere in the Four Corners. Northern Edge will be an economic boost to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.”
Officials at the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Sky Ute Casino Resort said they’re not worried about competition from the Northern Edge Casino. “We know that competition breeds excellence, and Sky Ute Casino Resort is definitely up for the challenge,” said Ben Fernandez, executive director of marketing for Sky Ute.
