Navajo Nation lays off 1,100-plus at AZ & NM casinos

In Arizona and New Mexico, more than 1,100 workers at Navajo Nation-operated casinos were temporarily laid off on New Year’s Day due to prolonged closures caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was announced on Thursday night by the federally recognized tribe’s business arm, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, saying that the lack of revenue caused by the extended casino closures left it with no choice other than to go forward with the layoffs.

In the December 31 statement, interim Chief Executive Officer for Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, Brian Parrish, said…

“Due to the extended closure, since March 17, 2020, our business operations have been severely impacted and as a result, we must make very difficult financial and personnel decisions,” according to The Associated Press via multiple news outlets.

Layoff warning:

Of the more than 1,200 workers employed by the tribe’s four casinos, including three in New Mexico and one in Arizona, the Gaming Enterprise will reportedly keep 165 on the payroll in order to maintain “essential functions” at the casinos.

Upwards of 775 tribal members comprise the staffing at the four casinos, which includes Fire Rock Casino in Church Rock, Flowing Water Navajo Casino in Waterflow, and Northern Edge Navajo Casino in Farmington, New Mexico, along with Twin Arrows Casino Resort in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The layoffs were not a surprise as on more than one occasion officials had warned that if the casinos were not permitted to reopen with limited capacity at minimum, layoffs would be necessary, according to the news agency.

Substantial losses:

On Thursday, however, officials warned that the entire operation could possibly shut down by the end of January if the four gambling properties aren’t allowed to reopen, or if additional funding is not allocated to maintain operations. In August, nearly $25 million worth of federal relief funding was allocated to the casino operation by the tribe but that money has reportedly run out.

According to The Associated Press, if forced to close, the $460 million that the tribe invested in the casinos would be lost, while closure would also reportedly lead to ongoing annual losses of approximately $220 million in revenue and economic activity, said Parrish. The interim CEO also reportedly said he believes that even amid the coronavirus pandemic it is possible to safely reopen with reduced capacity.

Long-term setback:

Meanwhile, Navajo Gaming Board Chairman Quincy Natay reportedly said…

“The Nation’s vision took years to build, but the Nation has been successful. If it allows its gaming industry to fail, a permanent closure will cause a long-term setback for Navajo economic development, even if it eventually reopens.”

Back in August when the shutdown due to the COVID-19 threat forced the layoff 88 percent of the Navajo casino workers and while other tribal casinos reopened across Arizona and New Mexico, Quincy said…

“As the first tribal casino to close on March 17th, and possibly the last to reopen, Navajo Nation Gaming will offer ‘best-in-class’ safety measures and a ‘trusted-space’ environment for our patrons and team members when it is safe to reopen.”